BEAUMONT, Texas — For the 18th time in program history, the Lamar University Cardinals baseball team scored 20 or more runs in a game.

On Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals shutout the University of Albany Great Danes, 21-0, in seven innings at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

The last time LU scored 20 or more runs in a game was last season when it defeated Texas Southern, 20-2.

This marks the first 21-run shutout since 1978 when the Cardinals blanked McNeese State.

LU came out of the gates with a two-RBI single up the middle by Tab Tracy in the first inning. Zane Spinn followed up with a two-RBI double to right center to make the score 4-0.

Reese Beheler belted a three-run home run in the second.

The Cards pushed across five runs on five hits in the third. Damian Ruiz hit an RBI double down the right field line while Heladio Moreno delivered a two-RBI double to right center to extend the lead to 10-0.

Beheler added to the rally with an RBI single while Spinn tallied an RBI double down the first base line.

In the fourth, Moreno drove in Kameryn Henderson with a single up the middle. Aiden Baumann then crushed a three-run home run to dead center.

LU tacked on three runs in the fifth as Logan Hamm brought in a run on a fielder's choice while Moreno hit an RBI single.

Caleb Castle capped off the frame with an infield RBI single.

The Cards pushed across two more runs in the sixth when Hunter Rebando brought in Matt Ryan on a groundout to short.

Trent Baker later hit a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Bryce Grizzaffi.

BY THE NUMBERS

• LU finished with 15 hits.
• Moreno had two singles and a double to go 3 for 4 with four RBIs and a walk.
• Moreno is 11 for 18 (.611) in his last five at-bats with seven RBIs. He currently leads the team with a .579 average.
• Beheler finished with four RBIs to go 2 for 3 with a single and a home run. He leads the team with 10 RBIs.
• Spinn went 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBIs.
• The Cards had seven doubles, which ties for fifth-most in program history.
• Ruiz finished 1 for 1 with a double, two walks, an RBI and three runs scored.
• Tracy went 1 for 3 with a single, a stolen base and two RBIs.
• Tracy and Ruiz both extended their hitting streaks to seven games. The duo also leads the team with 13 hits.
• LU also took advantage of six walks and five hit by pitches.
• LU was ranked second in the nation in NCAA Division I with 43 walks drawn heading into the contest, six behind the leader Tennessee.
• Riely Hunsaker earned his first win of the season after throwing a two-hitter in four innings with two strikeouts.
• The bullpen comprised of Kole Tauzin, Austin Neal, Thomas Reinholt and Coleson Abel allowed only three hits while they combined to strikeout five batters.

UP NEXT

The three-game series with UAlbany concludes at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23.