BEAUMONT, Texas – An error by Sam Houston's right fielder with two outs in the 10^th allowed Lamar University's Ryan Snell to score all the way from first for the game-winner as the Cardinals defeated SHSU, 3-2 (10 innings), Friday night at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
The win, which momentarily moves the Cardinals (12-6/4-0 WAC) into first place in the WAC's Southwest Division, snapped a 12-game skid to the Bearkats. Big Red has now won eight of its last 10 games.
 
Braxton Douthit got the start, and although he didn't figure in the decision, pitched 7.0 strong innings allowing just one run (earned) on five hits, with four strikeouts and a walk. He was one of four pitchers used in the game for the Red and White, as senior Jack Dallas pitched the final 2.2 innings giving up just two hits and striking out four batters to pick up his second win of the season (2-0).
 
Sam Houston started Cole Wesneski who also went 7.0 allowing two runs – one earned – on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Gavin Coldiron (1-1) pitched the final 2.2 allowing the one run – unearned – on two hits.
 
The Cardinals scored their three runs on eight hits. Seven different Cardinals finished the night with a hit, led by Ryan Snell who was 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored the game-winner.
 
The Cardinals put up their first run of the game in the first inning with one out and runners at the corners. Josh Blankenship hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring senior Chase Kemp from third. Big Red tacked on a second run in the third with a two-out rally.
 
Blankenship got the rally started with a single to right on a 3-2 pitch. Then Snell drove the first pitch he saw to the wall in left center scoring Blankenship. Sam Houston would answer with a run in their half of the fourth, and the 2-1 score held until the top of the eighth, when Sam Houston took advantage of a couple of fielding errors to tie the game.
 
The Cardinals threatened in both the eighth and ninth, with two runners on in the eight and a runner on second with only one out in the ninth, but came away empty in both innings. After Dallas slammed the door shut on the Bearkats in their half of the 10^th – forcing a pop up with two outs and the bases loaded – the bottom of the 10^th had all the appearances of heading to the 11^th.
 
After the first two Cardinals struck out, Snell worked a full count and then was hit by a pitch. Weyler then dug in and forced a 2-2 count before hitting a high fly ball to right field. Sam Houston's Jacob Guerrero appeared to be camped out underneath the ball when it ricocheted off his glove and rolled just far enough away to allow Snell to cruise home for the game-winning score.
 
The Cardinals now turn their attention to game two of the series. Saturday's first pitch is slated for 2 p.m. from Vincent-Beck Stadium.