BEAUMONT, Texas - Veronica Harrison recorded four hits Friday at the LU Softball Complex as Lamar University (2-0) started its 2025 campaign sweeping UL Monroe (0-2) in a doubleheader by scores of 3-0 and 3-2. Along the way, head coach Amy Hooks would her 100th career victory.
Making her Cardinal debut, Reagan Smith pitched a complete game shutout in game one to help LU win 3-0. The former UTSA Roadrunner struck out four batters while allowing five hits and two walks. Harrison posted two hits with an RBI along with Trinity Brandon and Kalie Amos.
In game two, Harrison added two more hits, including a two-run homer to lift LU to a 3-2 victory. Mallory Pitre made her first start in the circle and pitched the complete game allowing two runs on seven hits with one strikeout and three walks.
Game 1: Lamar 3, ULM 0
Smith overcame trouble in the top of the first to leave the runners stranded in scoring position. In the bottom of the frame, Harrison drove in Brandon on an RBI double to left for a 1-0 lead. Both teams were unable to capitalize in the third inning as each stranded two runners.
ULM had a chance to tie with two on in the top of the fifth before Smith got out of the jam with a strikeout. LU would extend its lead with a fifth-inning RBI groundout by Brandon and a sixth-inning RBI single from Amos to make it 3-0. Smith retired the side in order in the seventh to close out Hook's 100th career victory.
Game 2: Lamar 3, ULM 2
The Cardinals struck for three runs in the bottom of the first with Brandon's RBI triple followed by Harrison's two-run bomb to left center. LU sought to extend its lead in the second as they loaded the bases before a lineout to short ended the frame. Pitre got into a bases loaded jam in the top of the third, but was able to get out of it on a pop-up to first.
After neither side scored in the fourth and fifth innings, the War Hawks broke through in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 3-1. In the final inning, ULM scratched another run across and had the go ahead runs on base with two outs. A flyout to LU centerfielder Gracee Hess preserved LU's sweep over the War Hawks.
The Cardinals will have two games Saturday as they will host St. John's at 3 p.m. Then comes the opportunity to compete against the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns at 6 p.m.
#PeckEmCards
