MOBILE, Ala. – Lamar University was looking to make it two in a row to open the 2024 season as they squared off against tournament-host South Alabama Saturday evening but it wasn't meant to be. The Cardinals (1-1) dropped a 7-1 decision to USA.
 
The Jaguars scored three runs in the second, two in the fourth and added solo runs in the sixth and eight innings, while Lamar was able to scratch out a run in the top half of the third.
 
Senior Brooks Caple (0-1) got the start for LU and went 3.0 allowing three runs on five hits with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Kole Tauzin who went 2.1 innings allowing three runs on three hits with a couple of Ks. Senior Trhea Morse pitched the final 2.2 for LU allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts.
 
South Alabama's Carson Swilling went five innings allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts to earn his first victory of the season. He was one of four Jaguars to take the mound Saturday.
 
The Cardinal bats were held to five hits on the night. Senior Kanin Dodge led LU going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Zak Skinner, Ethan Ruiz and Luke Bumpus also collected hits for Lamar.
 
The Jaguars got on the board with three runs on four hits, including a two-run home run, in their half of the fifth. Lamar answered back with a run in the top of the third off the bat of Dodge.
 
After Luke Bumpus reached on an error to lead off the inning, Dodge roped a double down the left field line to trim the USA lead to two. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were prevented from hanging a crooked number on the board.
 
The Jaguars made it a four-run lead with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth.
 
Lamar had it chances to get back int the game but was never able to come up with the clutch hit in the key moment Saturday. The Cardinals had bases loaded in the fourth, two on in the fifth and sixth, one on in each of the final three innings only to be turned away.
 
South Alabama closed out the game by tacking on solo runs in the sixth and eighth innings.
 
The Cardinals will return to action Sunday when they close out action in the Mobile Baseball tournament. The Cardinals will face North Alabama at 11 a.m. from Stanky Field.