BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University scored nine runs on 13 hits, propelled by a three-run first inning to defeat Texas Southern, 9-3, Tuesday evening at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
The Cardinals (12-4) scored three in the first, one in the fourth and sixth innings and four more in the seventh, while Texas Southern was held off the scoreboard until the eighth inning. The Tigers scored three runs on five hits scoring one in the eighth and two more in the ninth.
 
Seven different Cardinals recorded a hit including four players with a multi-hit games. Kanin Dodge and Zak Skinner each recorded three hits while Brayden Evans and Ethan Ruiz added two-hit performances.
 
Trhea Morse got the start and went 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball not allowing a hit with four strikeouts but did walk three batters. Morse was on a predetermined pitch count so he was eligible for the win to move to 2-0 on the season. He was one of eight pitchers to take the bump Tuesday for the Red and White.
 
James Malone got the start for TSU and went 3.0 innings allowing three earned runs on six hits with two strike outs and five walks. He took the loss to fall to 0-1.
 
Lamar's fans didn't have to wait long for the offense to get cranked up. The Cardinals opened the game with three runs on four hits in the bottom half of the first inning. Kanin Dodge led off the inning with a double down the left field line, followed by a walk to Brayden Evans. Four pitches later Dodge came home on a single from River Orsak.
 
The Cardinals then loaded the bases for Ethan Ruiz who singled through the left side to give Lamar a two-run advantage. The final run came across on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Drake Varnado.
 
The three runs were more than enough for the Lamar pitching staff who hung seven scoreless innings on the scoreboard. Fifteen of the 27 outs recorded by Lamar came via strikeout as Lamar built a 9-0 lead and was never seriously threatened.
 
The Tigers managed to tack on three runs in the final two innings but it came after the game was out of reach.
 
Lamar returns to action Friday when the open a three-game series against the University of the Pacific. The series opener will be Friday at 6:05 p.m. from Vincent-Beck Stadium and will be streamed live on ESPN+.