HAMMOND, La. – A walk-off single from Incarnate Word in the bottom of the eighth handed Lamar University softball a 5-4 defeat in their Southland Conference Tournament opener. Ten stranded baserunners for LU proved to be the difference in the contest.
LU started off quickly as
Jayne Sepulveda's RBI double in the top of the first gave Big Red the early lead.
Emma Wardlaw then tossed four scoreless frames to begin the game while being aided by a sliding catch from
Kalyn Xayaseng in the bottom of the fourth to end the frame.
Lamar would tack on two more runs in the top of the fifth as an RBI single from
Shenita Tucker followed by Sepulveda's second RBI double of the game gave LU a 3-0 advantage. UIW would strike back, however, with a four-run bottom of the fifth spurred by a two-RBI double and two-RBI single, both with two outs, to take the lead.
Big Red would load the bases in the top of the seventh with a single, walk and fielder's choice.
Cameron Niedenthal drew a walk with two outs to tie things up at four before a groundout ended the frame. UIW threatened in the bottom of the frame with runners at the corners, but
Karyana Mitchell forced a groundout to get out of the jam.
LU got two runners on in the top of the eighth but were unable to bring either one around. UIW capitalized with a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame to seal the deal.
Sepulveda (2 2B, 2 RBI), Tucker (RBI) and
Kalie Amos each recorded two hits on the day.
Brooke Davis chipped in a triple in the top of the fourth while Niedenthal (RBI) walked in the tying run. Wardlaw started the game on the mound for LU and provided 4.2 innings of work allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with a strikeout. Mitchell picked up the loss after three innings of relief allowing a run on three hits and a walk with a strikeout.
LU's next game will be at 4 p.m. tomorrow against the loser of Game 5 which features Southeastern Louisiana and the winner of Game 3 on Tuesday night between Houston Christian and Nicholls. The Cardinals would advance with a win and head home with a loss in the double elimination format. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
