HOUSTON, Texas - Lamar University (15-13) took a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning against Houston (17-8), which then went on to score six runs to take a 10-6 victory at the Cougar Softball Stadium Tuesday. The Cardinals overcame a pair of two-run deficits but were unable to make it three after an overturned call at the plate in the sixth inning.

Jayne Sepulveda, Veronica Harrison, Cala Wilson, Trinity Brandon, Kalie Amos and Gracee Hess all collected hits for the Cardinals. Brandon drove in two runs while Hess recorded her first homer of the season. Madison Guidry got the start, giving up four runs in 3.2 innings on four hits. LU's second pitcher of the game, Sabrina Jolin, was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning.

The Cougars opened a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. LU's first hit wouldn't come until the third when Hess sent one to left field for a home run to put LU on the board. One inning later, Wilson walked while Brandon reached on an error to put runners in scoring position with nobody out. Lamar tied the game at two on an RBI groundout by Sicily Windham.

Houston retook a two-run lead in the bottom of the fourth, but the Cardinals wouldn't back down. Fifth inning doubles by Harrison and Brandon brought in three runs to hand LU its first lead at 5-4. The Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to have their third two-run lead at 7-5.

LU threatened in the sixth placing two runners on as Sepulveda doubled to right field that scored pinch runner Emilee LaRue. Kalie Amos appeared to have scored the tying run on the play only to have it wiped out after Houston successfully challenged the call. The Cougars extended their lead with three runs before holding down LU in the last inning.

Big Red returns home to the LU Softball Complex this weekend for its next Southland Conference series against East Texas A&M. Friday will be a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m.
 

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