BEAUMONT, Texas – After surrendering a first inning run, Lamar University rallied for runs in the 2^nd – 5^th innings and got strong pitching to defeat Mount St. Mary's, 5-4, Friday evening at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
Braxton Douthit (2-0) got the start and went 5.1 innings surrendering four runs – one earned – on six hits with six strikeouts. Senior Jack Dallas pitched the final two innings to record his first save of the season. The Mountaineers' Nick Breznak pitched 3.0 innings surrendering three runs – two earned – on four hits with a walk and a strikeout, and took the loss.
 
Five Cardinals recorded hits Friday, led by a 2-for-4 effort with a home run from Kyle Harper. Kevin Bermudez was 1-for-4 with two runs scored.
 
The Mountaineers took advantage of an early two-base error to plate the first run of the game. After Tristan McAlister made his way to third, he came home to score on a fielder's choice from Tyler Growdell. Growdell's hustle down the line saved the run as he just beat the rap at first base preventing a double play.
 
The Cardinals answered back with the equalizer in the bottom half of the second. After Josh Blankenship led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch, he was brought home on a grounder to short off the bat of Kelby Weyler. The Cardinals followed up with a double, and then a triple off the bat of Deric LaMontagne to score the second run of the inning.
 
The second kicked off a stretch of four innings where the Cardinals plated at least a run, including a solo shot from Kyle Harper clearing the wall in left field for his first home run of the season. LU built its lead to 5-1 heading into the sixth inning.
 
The Mount rallied back with three runs in the top half of the sixth, only one of which was earned. Big Red went to bullpen twice in the inning, but Daniel Cole came on to put out the fire with LU clinging to a one-run lead, 5-4.
 
The Cardinals cut The Mount's rally off at three and it proved pivotal as LU's pitching staff did the rest. Landon Odom (1.0 inning) and Jack Dallas (2.0 innings) pitched the final three innings without surrendering a hit and striking out five batters with just one walk.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday for the second and third games of the serious. The first game of the doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch from Vincent-Beck Stadium.