BEAUMONT, Texas – Central Arkansas got two runs in the sixth and three in the ninth to escape Beaumont with a series split defeating Lamar University, 6-1, Sunday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
The loss drops LU to 10-4 (.714) on the season, and 2-2 (.500) in Southland Conference play.
 
Dylan Johnson pitched five innings for the Cardinals surrendering two runs on just one hit, while striking out five, but walked three and took the loss (1-1). Jack Dallas came on in relief in the sixth and gave up one run on two hits, while Braxton Douthit pitched the final two innings surrendering three runs on four hits.
 
Offensively, the Cardinals struck for seven hits, including 2-for-4 efforts from Kelby Weyler, Matthew McDonald and Cole Girouard. Both Weyler and Girouard each had a double, while Weyler drove in the Cardinals' lone run.
 
UCA's Conner Williams started the game and pitched 4.2 innings surrendering one run on five hits with two punchouts. He was lifted in the fifth inning for Tyler Cleveland who pitched the final 4.1 for the win. Cleveland surrendered just two hits and struck out one.
 
The Bears scored the game's first run in the top of the third, but the Cardinals answered right back in the home half. Girouard led off the inning with a single, and after he advanced to second on an error (on a pick off move), Avery George got Girouard down to third on a sacrifice bunt. Weyler was able to tie the game when he took the 1-0 pitch to right center, which was fielded cleanly by the centerfielder but Weyler hustled out of the box for the double. Big Red had Williams on the ropes in the third but was unable to add any more runs in the inning.
 
The score remained tied until the sixth inning when UCA tacked on two more. The two teams moved into the top of the ninth with the Cards still down two looking for a shutdown inning, but the Bears got three straight singles – plus an error on the pitcher – with one out in the inning to score three more runs. UCA kept the Cardinals off the board in the home half of the ninth.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Friday when they open a three-game series against Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions will begin Friday with a 6 p.m. first pitch from Vincent-Beck Stadium.