BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University and UMBC combined to score runs in seven innings but only one of those innings consisted of a crooked number and fortunately that went for Lamar University. The Cardinals built a cushion late to defeat UMBC, 7-3, Friday evening at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
The Cardinals scored their seven runs on eight hits plating runs in the first, fourth, fifth and eighth innings, while the Retrievers scored solo runs in the fourth, fifth and ninth innings. Seven different Cardinals got hits Friday led by Zak Skinner's 2-for-4 effort with a home run. Skinner was joined in the long ball column by Brayden Evans who got the scoring started with his fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the first.
 
Senior Jacob Ellis (2-0) pitched 5.0 innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits. He also struck out six Retrievers while giving up just one free pass.
 
Ellis gave way to Austin Neal in the sixth and he pitched the final four innings to pick up his second save of the season. Neal allowed just one ninth-inning run on three hits with six punch outs and a walk.
 
Evans' first-inning blast was the lone run of the game until the top of the fourth with UMBC tied the game up with consecutive two out hits. Ellis limited the damage to just the two hits to get his offense back up to the plate and he didn't have to wait long for his offense to respond.
 
On the second pitch of the inning Skinner golfed an 0-1 delivery just over the wall in right to give Lamar back the one-run lead, but just like in the top of the fourth the visitors answered with a run in their half of the fifth.
 
The Cardinals went back to work in the bottom half of the inning when Jack Schell doubled to left center with one out in the inning. Two pitches later, Schell was singled home off the bat of Dodge.
 
After taking a 3-2 lead, the pitching staffs again resumed control of the game hanging zeros on the scoreboard until the bottom half of the eighth when Big Red broke the game open with four runs. The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs after a walk, a hit batter and a Skinner single to right.
 
With the bases loaded, the plate started jumping around on UMBC staff as they used three pitchers in the inning. The first run of the inning was scored on a five-pitch walk to Ethan Ruiz. Ruiz's walk was followed by a single to second (with the infield drawn in) to plate the second run. The next two runs were scored on a bases loaded hit by pitch and a sacrifice fly. At the end of the frame, the Cardinals scored four runs on two hits with two walks and two hit batters.
 
That was more than enough for Neal to close out the game in the ninth, despite the fact UMBC scored a run for the final score.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday for the second game of the series. Game two is slated for a 5:05 p.m. first pitch from Vincent-Beck Stadium and will be streamed live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.