HOUSTON, Texas – Lamar University's 13-game win streak – which was the longest in the nation – came to an end Tuesday evening as Lamar University came up short to Houston, 6-4, at Schroeder Park.
 
A punch, counter-punch contest type contest saw Lamar score a run in the first inning and three more in the fourth, only to have Houston answer in both innings. The Cougars plated their runs in the first, four and seventh innings.
 
The Cardinals (19-5/.792) scored their four runs on eight hits, outhitting their hosts who scored six runs on six hits. Big Red was hurt by missed opportunities stranding 11 runners on the night.
 
Trhea Morse got the start and was one of five pitchers to take the mound for LU Tuesday. Morse was strong on the bump giving LU 3.0 innings allowing just two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and just one walk. He gave way to Logan Hamm in fourth inning. Hamm (0-1), who also started the game as the designated hitter, allowed three runs on one hit with a couple of walks to take the loss. Lamar struck out six Cougars on the night.
 
Six different Cardinals recorded hits led by multi-hit efforts from Ethan Ruiz (2-for-5, 2B, run) and Drake Varnado (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, run).
 
The Cardinals got the scoring started in their first at-bat. With Kanin Dodge on second and just one out in the inning, Brayden Evans took a 3-1 offering back up the middle to score Dodge. Unfortunately, Houston would get out of the inning and answer with two in the home half of the first.
 
The scored remained unchanged until the fourth, when Lamar would strike four three runs. The Cardinals did their damage on three hits – a double and two singles – and two walks. Ethan Ruiz led off the inning with a single followed by a walk to Hamm. Varnado, who entered the game 9-for-his-last-13 at the plate, continued his hot stroke with a double down the third base line to score Ruiz. Two pitches later, Dodge singled through the right to score Varnado. Lamar scored its next run on a grounder off the bat of Evans.
 
But just like the first inning, the Cougars responded in their very next at-bat. As if mimicking LU, Houston scored three runs but they came off of a double, three walks, a wild pitch and a hit batter. Houston tacked on a run in the seventh to make it a two-run lead and their bullpen held Lamar at bay the rest of the way.
 
It's a quick turnaround for Big Red who will now head north for a three-game series at Oklahoma. The series will begin with a 6:30 p.m. Thursday opener from Norman, Okla., and conclude with a 2 p.m. contest Saturday.