Box Score BATON ROUGE, La. – Lamar University got two-run home runs for Chase Kemp and Deric LaMontagne, and the Cardinals' bullpen pitched nine scoreless innings to record a 7-5 victory in 11 innings at Southern Tuesday evening.
 
Off to one of their best starts in program history, the Cardinals close out the recent six-game road swing with a 4-2 record – a mark that includes three shutouts. After surrendering five runs in the first two innings, LU's pen came on to pitch a shutout in the final nine for a staff that entered the day ranked third nationally in ERA (1.94).
 
Sophomore Daniel Cole came on in the 10^th and pitched two scoreless innings to get the win – his fist of the season. The Cardinals' bullpen got quite bit of help from behind the plate from sophomore Ryan Snell. The Hardin, Texas native mowed down three Jaguars trying to steal putting a halt to any potential big innings.
 
Big Red took the final lead of the game in the top of the 11^th. After Cole Girouard drew a leadoff walk, Matt McDonald got a pinch-hit single, followed by a Snell walk to load the bases which set the stage for Avery George. The Humble, Texas native hit a chopper up the middle which the Southern catcher tried to snag and make a play at the plate but he bobbled the ball and Girouard beat the play. LU scored its next run on a wild pitch for the final score.
 
The key hit in the game came off the bat of sophomore Deric LaMontagne who hit a two-run home run to tie the game at five. For LaMontagne, it is his third home run in the last five games.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday when they open Southland Conference play with a four-game series against Central Arkansas. The series will begin Friday with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. from Vincent-Beck Stadium. UCA is currently tied for fourth in the league standings after splitting a four-game series with Abilene Christian.
 
The Cardinals enter Southland Conference play as one of the league's hottest teams having won four of the last five games and own the best winning percentage of any Southland squad into their league opener.