SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Lamar University had to rally back after being down 2-0 to the University of the Incarnate Word.

LU scored four runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to come on top with an 8-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Field to extend the winning streak to seven games.

Lamar had an opportunity to push across a run in the top of the first after Damian Ruiz and Tab Tracy were both hit by pitch, but a double play got UIW out of the inning.

Carter Sutton had retired his first seven batters until UIW got a one-out solo home run from Gray Bane in the bottom of the third.

After a walk was issued, Daniel Calabrese hit an RBI double to extend the lead to 2-0.

LU got its first run in the top of the fifth when Ruiz singled to first and Matt Ryan scored on a throwing error by the pitcher.

Brayden Evans then followed up with an RBI single to right to tie the game at 2-2.

Tracy was walked to load up the bases for Zak Skinner who hit an RBI infield single to put LU ahead.

LU pushed across its fourth run of the inning when Evans crossed home plate on a balk.

UIW cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run by Rob Liddington Jr.

LU answered back in the top of the sixth when Ryan drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Hector Rodriguez then moved over Ryan on a sacrifice bunt. Ryan later scored on a wild pitch.

LU scored twice more in the inning as Ruiz hit an RBI double to left center and later scored on an error by the pitcher.

Heladio Moreno extended LU's lead to five runs with a two-out RBI double to left center in the top of the ninth.

UIW got a pinch-hit solo home run from Brandon Burckel in the bottom of the ninth, but the rally was short-lived. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Moreno went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double, a walk and an RBI to extend his hitting streak to five games.
• Evans finished 2 for 5 with two singles and an RBI.
• Ruiz extended his on base streak to 28 games and his hitting streak to 11 games after going 1 for 3 with a double, walk and an RBI.
• Skinner had a single to go 1 for 5 with an RBI.
• Carter Sutton improved to 4-0 after he threw five innings allowing four hits with two strikeouts.
• Luke Krkovski picked up his first save of the season after throwing four innings of relief allowing three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The series finale takes place at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.