BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University scored four runs in the first two innings against Sam Houston Tuesday evening and never looked back cruising to an 11-3 win over the Bearkats. The midweek victory improved Lamar to 23-5 on the season having won four straight and 17 of their last 18.
 
The Cardinals scored 11 runs on 14 hits doing their damage with three runs in the first, one in the second and sixth innings, two in the seventh and four more in the eighth. Sam Houston ended the night with three runs on seven hits scoring their first run of the night in the seventh and plating two more in the ninth.
 
Ten different Cardinals recorded hits Tuesday led by multi-hit efforts from Brayden Evans (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, 2 runs, BB), River Orsak (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBIs, 2 runs), Tanner Wilson (2-for-4, run) and Logan Hamm (2-for-3). Zak Skinner and Ethan Ruiz each hit their fourth home run of the season.
 
Big Red's pitching was just as dominant following a strong start from Jackson Cleveland. The Deer Park native went 4.0 perfect innings striking out four Bearkats to improve to 3-0. He was one of four Cardinals to pitch Tuesday as Cleveland was relieved in the fifth inning by Kyle Moseley who went 2.1 surrendering no runs on three hits with a strikeout.
 
As a staff, the Cardinals allowed just three earned runs on seven hits with strikeouts and a walk.
 
Sam Houston went with Ryan Peterson but he lasted only 2.0 giving up four runs on five hits. He suffered the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season. He was one of seven Bearkats to pitch.
 
The Cardinals opened the game with some two-out thunder. After two quick outs to start the game Evans worked a full count before ripping a pitch to left field – that hit off the wall – for a triple. Orsak followed three pitches later with a double to left field. After looking at a ball on the first pitch Skinner took the second pitch he saw over the field in right to make it a three-run inning. LU added to its lead in the second and the Cardinals held their four-run advantage until the sixth when they pushed across another run.
 
The Bearkats finally answered with a run in the seventh but Sam Houston's run re-energized Lamar's bats as the Cardinals closed the game with six runs in their final two at-bats eventually take a double-digit lead.
 
The Bearkats closed the game with two runs in their last at-bat for the final score.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday when they host McNeese in a renewing of the Battle of the Border series. The first game is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.