MOBILE, Ala. – Junior Brayden Evans hit a two-run blast to key a four-run fourth inning and Lamar's pitching staff did the rest defeating Southern Indiana, 4-2, Friday evening in the season opener from Stanky Field.
 
Senior Jacob Ellis got the start and pitched 4.2 allowing just two runs – both earned – on five hits with five strike outs and no walks. Ellis gave way to Peyton Havard in the fifth inning. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings allowing just one hit while striking out four to pick up the win. Jackson Cleveland pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
 
The Cardinals pitching staff combined to strike out 10 batters with only one walk.
 
Gavin Morris took the mound for the Screaming Eagles and was strong through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. He gave up two earned runs on four hits and was pulled after 4.1. He gave way to Trent Robinson in the fifth and he was unable to escape a jam as he took the loss allowing two runs on two hits (with a walk) in 0.2 innings pitched.
 
SIU sent four pitchers to the mound Friday.
 
Five different Cardinals collected hits led by Jack Schell's 2-for-2 effort with a walk and a couple of runs scored. Evans finished the day with a 1-for-4 effort with a home run and two RBIs. Senior River Orsak also went 1-for-2 with a double, walk and a run scored.
 
After a more than four-hour delayed start to the game, it was Southern Indiana who struck first. The Screaming Eagles got an RBI single from Tucker Ebest in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. SIU made it 2-0 when Ebest doubled in the second run of the game in the top half of the third.
 
The Cardinals had chances to break through in their half of the second and third innings, with a pair of runners aboard and no outs, but the Southern Indiana's pitching staff was able to work through the traffic. That all changed in the fifth inning.
 
After a leadoff single to Schell, junior Brayden Evans came to the plate with one out in the inning and crushed a pitch over the left field wall to tie the game. The Cardinals stayed on the attack closing out the inning with a walk and two doubles (River Orsak and Drake Varnado) to plate two more runs as Big Red took its first lead of the game.
 
That was all the offense Lamar would need as the bullpen did the rest. Havard came on with two outs in the fifth inning and shut the door allowing just one baserunner. He combined with Jackson Cleveland to pitch 4.1 scoreless innings of relief allowing just one hit with a strikeout and a walk.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Saturday when they take on tournament-host South Alabama. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Stanky Field.