HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Lamar University dropped the final game Saturday at Sam Houston in heartbreaking fashion. Sam Houston hit two home runs, including a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh to prevent the Cardinals from picking up their first conference victory as members of the Western Athletic Conference. 

The Cardinals entered the bottom of the seventh with a 6-3 lead. Lamar University took the lead in the top of the first, and did not relinquish it until the final frame. 

Sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming finished the day 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Her first RBI came in the first inning when she single to right field, bringing junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez across home plate. 

Junior infielder Hannah Kinkade would give Big Red a 2-0 lead in the top of the second after leading off the inning with a single before scoring on a fielding error. 

Sophomore infielder Sam Bean drew a base on balls to lead off the top of the fifth. Senior outfielder Aleka Xayaseng would pinch-run for Bean, coming around to score on a Fleming RBI double. Senior Hayley Freudenberg blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence, bringing across Fleming, to push the lead to 5-1 for the Cardinals. 

Fleming led off the top of the seventh with a single. Junior catcher Felixia Hinojosa would give Lamar University a 6-3 lead, bringing Fleming in on a sacrifice fly to right field. 

The six runs would not be enough as Sam Houston scored four runs in the final frame to secure the victory. 

After two weeks away, Lamar University now returns to the LU Softball Complex. Fellow WAC member Abilene Christian comes to town for a three-game series, starting with a doubleheader Friday, March 11. First pitch of game one is set for 4 pm. 

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