BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University scored four runs in the fifth inning to rally for a 10-3 game two win over Southeastern Louisiana Saturday evening to take the series. The Cardinals (28-6/7-1 SLC) have now won four straight and eight of their last nine to remain in first place of the Southland standings.
 
In his first start since throwing a no-hitter, senior Jacob Ellis pitched 5.2 innings allowing three runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Jackson Cleveland pitched the final 3.1 innings not allowing a run on two hits with three punch outs. Ellis improves to 6-0 on the season, while Cleveland recorded his third save of the year.
 
Southeastern started Dakota Lee who went 3.2 innings allowing two runs on four hits with a strikeout and a walk. He was one of four Lions to pitch as Levi Bennett took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits in 1.0 inning of work.
 
Eight different Cardinals recorded hits Saturday led by multi-hit performances from Brayden Evans (3-for-5, run), River Orsak (3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs), Zak Skinner (3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) and Austin Roccaforte (2-for-5, RBI).
 
The Lions jumped on the scoreboard first with a run in the third and two in the fourth. LU answered the three-run deficit with a two-run fourth to go along with four runs in the fifth and eighth innings.
 
After the Lions jumped out to a three-run lead, Orsak got the bottom half of the fourth started with a one-out single and eventually moved over to second on a wild pitch. He eventually came around to score on a Skinner single through the right side. Skinner advanced to second on the throw home.
 
With two outs in the inning, SLU hit Ethan Ruiz and Jack Schell to load the bases. Drake Varnado then worked a seven-pitch walk to bring in the next run.
 
After the offense got LU back within a run, Ellis and the defense quickly sat the Lions down in order to get the bats back up to the plate. The Cardinals responded in the fifth inning four runs on five hits, and took advantage of one SLU error, to grab a three-run lead.
 
Evans, Orsak, Skinner, Roccaforte and Luke Bumpus each recorded a hit in the inning with the big blow being a Orsak's eighth home run of the season.
 
Once LU got the lead, Ellis and Cleveland didn't allow Southeastern an opportunity to get back in the game. The duo hung zeros on the board for the final four innings as SLU was held to just three hits with no walks and struck out three times in the later innings.
 
The Cardinals would eventually break the game open with another four-run inning in the eighth.
 
The Cardinals return to action Sunday looking for the series sweep. Game three is set for a 1 p.m. start and will be streamed live on ESPN+.