HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Lamar University dropped its first two games of conference play against Sam Houston at the Bearkat Softball Complex Friday afternoon. 

Sam Houston (7-10, 2-0 in WAC play) shut the Cardinals out 10-0 in game one. They clinched the conference opening series with a score of 7-2 in the second game. 

Junior infielder Hannah Kinkade reached base four times during the day, finishing 1-for-2. She walked twice, was hit by a pitch once, and produced a single. Additionally, Kinkade stole a base and scored a run. 

Lamar University (4-13, 0-2 in WAC play) did not struggle to produce base runners during either game. Junior catcher Felixia Hinojosa and freshman outfielder Piper Hankins led off the third inning with back-to-back singles. Both were left stranded. 

Sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming produced a one-out single in the fourth. She would advance to second with two outs when Kinkade was awarded first base on a hit-by-pitch. Six runners were left stranded on base in game one. 

It was a similar story in game two. The Cardinals leadoff hitter walked in three of the first four innings. Brooke Davis produced a single in the fifth inning. It would be in the sixth when Big Red placed up its first runs of the 2022 WAC season. Freshman outfielder Kalyn Xayaseng pinch-ran for sophomore outfielder Hayley Freudenberg after a walk. Xayaseng stole second before advancing to third on a Kinkade single down the left field line. Kinkade stole second base, allowing Xayaseng to cross home plate for the Cardinals first run as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Kinkade would also score when Janelle Marwitz reached base on a throwing error. 

Lamar University looks to pick up its first conference victory as a member of the Western Athletic Conference when they play game three at Sam Houston. First pitch is set for noon Saturday at the Bearkat Softball Complex in Huntsville, Texas. 

#WeAreLU