BEAUMONT, Texas – In yet another close game, Lamar University softball again came out victorious with a 3-2 win in a home midweek clash against Sam Houston.
Roxy Thompson reached on a fielding error from the Bearkats with
Trinity Brandon coming around to score in the bottom of the sixth to serve as the difference in the game.
Both teams struggled early offensively before LU broke through in the bottom of the third on Sepulveda's RBI double. She then came home on a passed ball to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead through three innings. A spectacular display of reflexes from
Karyana Mitchell kept the Bearkat bats at bay in the top of the fourth. She then took a line drive off her ankle on the first pitch in the top of the fifth. She managed to face two more batters but allowed both baserunners to reach ending her night and handing the ball over to
Emma Wardlaw.
An RBI groundout and an RBI single would plate those two runs for the Bearkats to tie things up. SHSU looked poised to threaten again in the top of the sixth with runners on second and third, but Wardlaw managed to escape the jam.
A leadoff single, walk and fielder's choice put runners at the corners for LU in the bottom half of the frame. Thompson then managed to reach on a bobbled ball from the shortstop which allowed Brandon to cross home as the eventual winning run. Wardlaw retired all three batters in the top of the seventh to secure Big Red's sixth one-run game of the season.
Sepulveda recorded the lone RBI for the Cardinals with an RBI double in the third while Brandon,
Shenita Tucker and
Veronica Harrison all tallied hits as well.
Karyana Mitchell got the start on the mound for LU and went 4.1 innings before leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury. She allowed two runs (both unearned) on just one hit and a HBP with four strikeouts.
Emma Wardlaw then picked up the win with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief allowing three hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
LU hits the road this weekend for a conference series with Texas A&M-Commerce. Friday will feature a doubleheader with games at 5 at 7 p.m. with the finale coming on Saturday at 12 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
