HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Baptist Huskies did the majority of their damage in the fifth inning scoring eight runs to defeat Lamar University, 10-2, Wednesday afternoon at Husky Field. The loss snaps LU's modest four-game win streak.
 
Ty Ringo (0-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning and surrendered five runs on two hits, to take the loss, but only one of the runs was earned. HBU's Javan Smitherman (1-0) came on and pitched 2.2 in relief giving up just one hit to record the win.
 
The Cardinals got their seven hits from six different players, with Josh Blankenship leading the way with a multi-hit game. Blankenship went 2-for-3, while both Kevin Bermudez (1-for-3) and Jack Schell (1-for-1) drove in runs.
 
Big Red took the first lead of the game with a run in their half of the third inning. After a walk and Kyle Harper single to open the frame, the Cardinals found themselves with runners on second and third – and no outs – following a wild pitch. After Bermudez worked a full count, he hit the next pitch he saw to the track in left field. The fly was deep enough to plate Matt McDonald from third base.
 
The one-run lead held for the Cardinals until fifth inning when HBU took advantage of a base on balls and a throwing error to start a rally. With the bases loaded, HBU's Parker Edwards doubled down the right field line to give the Huskies their first lead of the day. The hit opened the flood gates for the home team as the Huskies drew a walk to reload the bases which set the stage for the Huskies' Matt Crossley who took an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left field to break the game open.
 
The Huskies would tack on two more runs before LU was able to get out of the inning. HBU finished out their line by adding two more in eighth. The Cardinals closed out the scoring with a Jack Schell RBI single in the top of the 9^th.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday when they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to open a three-game series, and WAC play, against Stephen F. Austin. The series opens Friday with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Jaycees Field.