BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University softball claimed its first conference series of the season with a 5-3 victory against Tarleton State Sunday afternoon.
Junior designated player Hannah Kinkade and sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming propelled the offense blasting their fourth home runs of the season, respectively. It is the first home run for each during Western Athletic Conference play.
Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz (7-10) notched her 30th career complete game and her third victory of the week. Ruiz allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks. She struck out four batters.
The Cardinals (8-21, 3-9 in WAC play) struck first by scoring thanks to two errors committed by Tarleton State (20-17, 5-7 in WAC play). After sophomore infielder Brooke Davis reached base on an error to lead off the bottom of the first, junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez reached base on a bunt single. Sophomore infielder Sam Bean advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Senior infielder Kaylee Ancelot would reach first on a second error, allowing Davis to score and give LU the lead.
After Tarleton State scored in the second inning, the big bats came out. Kinkade led off the bottom of the fourth by sending a solo home run over the right-centerfield fence to push Big Red back in front. After three one-out walks, LU capitalized on another run. Ramirez sent a line drive off the left field fence bringing Piper Hankins across home plate to give LU a 3-1 lead.
Fleming would blast an opposite field home run to lead off the fifth inning. The Cardinals would add one more run when freshman outfielder Kalyn Xayaseng scored on a throwing error.
Tarleton State would attempt a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, but Ruiz finished the Texans off to give LU its first series victory as members of the Western Athletic Conference.
Big Red has now won three of its last four games and four of its last seven. The Cardinals will head to Waco, Texas for a midweek matchup against Baylor 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Getterman Stadium. LU will return to the LU Softball Complex 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 to host Southern University.
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