NORMAN, Okla. – Lamar University (20-5) pounds out 12 runs on 12 hits to take game one of the series against No. 25 Oklahoma, 12-10, Thursday evening at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Cardinals have now won 14 of their last 15 games. The victory marks the second top-25 program Will Davis' troops have defeated in as many seasons.
 
The Cardinals used two big innings to get past the nationally ranked Sooners scoring six in the third, one in the fourth and five more in the seventh. Oklahoma scored 10 runs on eight hits and was hurt by four costly errors. The Sooners scored one in the second, three in third, five in the fourth and one in the sixth.
 
Eight different Cardinals recorded hits led by multi-hit games from Tanner Wilson (3-for-5, RBI, 2 runs), Ethan Ruiz (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs and 2 runs) and Austin Roccaforte (2-for-5, RBI, run).
 
Ruiz was one of two Cardinals to hit a home run. He was joined by Brayden Evans (1-for-3, 2 runs) who hit his team-leading sixth of the season.
 
Due to short rest based on a weather-forced Saturday doubleheader last week, the Cardinals elected to start Jackson Cleveland Thursday. Cleveland gave the Cardinals 2.1 innings before running into trouble in the third. He was one of four Cardinals to take the mound as Travis Phelps (1-0) picked up the win. Phelps pitched 2.0 innings allowing just one unearned run on two walks with no hits. Austin Neal pitched the last three innings for Lamar surrendering just a hit and a walk to pick up his fourth save of the season.
 
After the Sooners grabbed a one-run lead in the home half of the second, Lamar came to life in its very next at-bat. Big Red posted a six-run inning on four hits to grab a five-run lead. Lamar loaded the bases with one out and River Orsak drew a walk to score the first run of the inning. Zak Skinner grounded to short on the next pitch to score Drake Varnado from third. The next two runs came off infield singles – one off the bat of Ruiz the other from Wilson – to take 4-1 lead. Austin Roccaforte drove in the final two runs of the inning with a single to center.
 
Unfortunately, Oklahoma answered with eight runs over the next two innings to reclaim the lead, 9-7, heading into the fifth inning. The OU lead ballooned to 10-7 before Lamar answered with another big inning. The Cardinals scored five runs in their half of the seventh, the key shot a two-run home run off the bat of Ruiz. Lamar finished the inning scoring their five runs on four hits and took advantage of a Sooner error.
 
Big Red's bullpen then took control keeping the Sooners at bay for the victory. The Cardinals will look to take the series when they return for game two Friday at 6:30 p.m. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.