NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Lamar University picked up its first conference victory as a member of the Western Athletic Conference Friday afternoon when the Cardinals defeated Stephen F. Austin 4-3 in game two of a doubleheader at SFA Softball Field.
Senior infielder Kaylee Ancelot provided the game-winning hit, her second of the season, when she brought in sophomore infielder Sam Bean on an RBI double to left field. Bean was on first base after leading off the top of the seventh with a single.
The game was a battle throughout its entirety. SFA (10-16, 3-2 in WAC play) struck first with an RBI single in the first inning. Lamar University (5-18, 1-7 in WAC play) found an answer when junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez belted a solo shot over the centerfield wall, her first of the season.
SFA quickly answered with a two-run blast of their own, making it 3-1 after four innings. The Cardinals refused to go away. Ramirez led off the top of the fifth with a single to right field. She would advance to second on a one-out single to right field off the bat of sophomore infielder Brooke Davis. After Ramirez was wiped out on a fielder's choice, Davis scored on an Ancelot RBI single down the right field line. This allowed sophomore infielder Sam Bean to advance to third base. Bean would proceed to score on sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming's RBI single to shortstop, tying the game.
Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz picked up her fourth win of the season by pitching her sixth complete game of the year. Ruiz struck out five, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and one walk. The Beeville, Texas native held SFA to 2-for-11 with runners on base.
Each of the first six batters in the lineup produced a hit. Ancelot and Bean produced two hits each. The home run for Ramirez was her first of the season and second of her career.
Ancelot hit a three-run homer to centerfield in the first inning of game one. Bean and Ramirez also scored on Ancelot's third home run of the season. The Orangefield, Texas native now has four homers in her career. Despite the early 3-0 lead, Stephen F. Austin would win game one 6-3.
Lamar University now looks to secure their first series win as members of the WAC. The rubber match is set for noon Saturday at SFA Softball Field in Nacogdoches, Texas.
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