BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University scored 10 runs on 15 hits, including a two-run sixth and a five-run seventh, to defeat UMBC, 10-3, Sunday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium to record the series sweep. The victory moves Lamar to 11-4 on the year.
 
The Cardinals got hits from nine different batters including multi-hit games from five different players – Zak Skinner (3-for-5, 2 RBIs), Kanin Dodge (2-for-5, 3 RBIs, 2 SB, run), River Orsak (2-for-3, RBI), Austin Roccaforte (2-of-5, 2 runs) and Tanner Wilson (2-for-2, HR, 2 runs).
 
Both Wilson and Ethan Ruiz recorded their first home runs of the season.
 
The Cardinals did their damage in the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th and 7^th innings with solo runs coming in the first three, two in the 6^th and eventually breaking the game open with five in the seventh.
 
All of UMBC's runs came in the third inning when they briefly held a one-run lead, until Lamar answered back with a run in the fourth. The Cardinals took the lead for good in the sixth.
 
Junior Hunter Hesseltine got the start and pitched 4.1 innings allowing three runs on six hits with a strikeout and two walks. He was relieved in the fifth inning by Jackson Cleveland (2-0) who came on with one out in the fifth. Cleveland pitched 3.2 to two-hit baseball allowing no runs, no walks and striking out four to earn the victory.
 
Sam Downs started for UMBC and pitched 5.0 innings allowing three runs – two earned – on seven hits with five strikeouts. Ben Craig (0-2) was stuck with the loss after giving up two runs in his lone inning of work.
 
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead with solo runs in the first and second before the Retrievers took the lead with three runs on four hits in their half of the third. The UMBC lead lasted until the bottom of the fourth when the Cardinals answered back with a run.
 
The final lead change came in the bottom half of the sixth when Lamar would take the lead for good. Wilson stepped into pinch hit and took the second pitch he saw over the left field wall to give LU back a one-run lead. With runners on first and second, and one out, Skinner singled back up the middle scoring Brayden Evans.
 
The Cardinals were back on the attack in the seventh when they scored five runs on six hits. Just like in the sixth, it was a leadoff home run – this time from Ruiz – to get things started. Ruiz was followed by a double from Roccaforte and a bunt single from Wilson. The LU offense followed up with singles from Evans and River Orsak and then a double from Skinner as Big Red brought home five runs in the inning.
 
It was more than enough offense for the Cardinal bullpen as Kyle Moseley and Travis Phelps combined to pitch the final inning.
 
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday to take on Texas Southern. The game against TSU will begin at 6 p.m. from Vincent-Beck Stadium and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.