BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University struck for three runs (on two home runs) in the eighth inning to defeat New Orleans, 4-2, Friday evening in their Southland Conference opener. Senior Kevin Bermudez (4) and junior Kanin Dodge (1) recorded the home runs which would be the difference in the game.
 
The Cardinals (15-6/1-0 SLC) scored their four runs on nine hits, while UNO finished the night with two runs on seven hits.
 
Six different Cardinals recorded hits Friday led by multi-hit games from Ben MacNaughton (2-for-4), Bermudez (2-for-3, solo home run) and Ethan Ruiz (2-for-3).
 
Jacob Ellis got the start for Big Red and went 7.0 innings allowing just two earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. UNO sent Tyler LeBlanc to the mound, and he also went 7.0 innings surrendering one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Neither starter figured into the decision.
 
Junior Foster Kreuzer pitched a scoreless eighth walking one with a strikeout to earn the victory, his third of the season (3-0). Sophomore Jackson Cleveland (4) pitched the ninth to record the save.
 
UNO took a 1-0 lead off a Tristan Moore home run to straight away center in the top of the first and carried that lead into the fifth when they tacked another run on two hits in the fifth.
 
The Cardinals managed to get one run back in the bottom half of the fifth after loading the bases with one out. Senior Ryan Snell then dug in and single to third moving everyone up 90 feet to score Ruiz.
 
It wasn't just Lamar's pitching that was getting the job done. The  pitching staff was backed up by strong play in the field. In the top half of the seventh, UNO's Issac Williams hit a chopper to third which appeared to be an infield hit before Ruiz charge the ball and made a barehanded grab and throw to first for the out as LU hung another zero on the scoreboard.
 
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Privateers made a move to the bullpen as Beau Blanchard came on in relief of LeBlanc. Bermudez ambushed Blanchard's offering over the left field wall to tie the game at 2. Snell then walked on five pitches setting up Dodge's two-run home run to give the Cardinals a two-run lead they would not surrender.
 
Cleveland came on in the ninth and shut the door allowing just one hit with a strikeout as the Cardinals picked up the victory in their conference opener.
 
The Cardinals will be back on the field Saturday for game two. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. from Vincent-Beck Stadium.