BEAUMONT, Texas - In a wild Wednesday contest at the LU Softball Complex, Lamar University (14-10) rallied from a 5-2 deficit to knock off Big 12 opponent Baylor (12-14), 8-6. This was LU's first win over the Bears in the history between the two teams.

Cala Wilson was a driving force offensively picking up three RBIs on three hits to lead the Cardinals. Jayne Sepulveda added two hits while Gracee Hess and Ava Blakely each scored two runs. Mallory Pitre (2.2 IP) got the start but went 2.2 innings allowing five runs on eight hits. Fresh off her complete game shutout in her last outing, Reagan Smith notched her third win by pitching 4.1 innings allowing one run on three hits and striking out a pair.

Each team scored twice in the first as LU got its runs with a wild pitch to score Hess and an RBI double from Wilson. The Bears retook the lead in the top of the second with a run before adding two more in the third to lead 5-2. While LU stranded the bases loaded in its second, Makenzie Wright reached base on an error that scored two runs to make it 5-4.

Baylor loaded the bases in the top of the fourth but managed to get one run across. Come the bottom of the fourth, LU answered with four runs beginning with a game-tying two-run double from Wilson. Blakely followed with a double to give the Cardinals the lead before pinch hitter Rose Gonzales reached base on an error that led to LU leading 8-6.

Holding the Bears down in the fifth, Smith ran into a jam in the sixth putting two on with one out. A flyout to center ended the Baylor threat and Smith retired the side in the seventh to preserve the victory.

Southland Conference play resumes this weekend as the Cardinals will hit the road to take on Stephen F. Austin. Friday's lone contest starts at 5 p.m., while Saturday is a doubleheader that begins at noon.

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