NATCHITOCHES, La. - A five-run fifth inning was all Lamar University (25-19, 13-8 SLC) needed to finish the sweep of Northwestern State (5-39, 2-19 SLC), 5-3 Saturday at Lady Demon Field. The win moves LU into a tie for fifth in the Southland Conference standings trailing fourth-place UIW by 2.0 games.
 
For the second time this series, third in the last six games, and eighth in her career, Jayne Sepulveda posted three hits in a game and collected an RBI. Trinity Brandon picked up two hits plus an RBI while the final two runs were driven in by Ava Blakely. Kaylee Cuevas (1.1 IP, 0 hits, 3 walks) got the start in the circle, but it was Sabrina Jolin who earned the win in 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and seven hits allowed.
 
After recording a scoreless first inning, Cuevas ran into a jam in the second as the Demons threatened with two runners in scoring position and just one out. Jolin came in to get LU out of trouble and escaped with a scoreless frame. Through three innings, Sepulveda had the Cardinals' only two hits, including a third-inning single that appeared to start a two-out rally but the LU came away empty handed.
 
LU broke through for five runs in the fifth. After Kalie Amos led off by getting hit by a by pitch, Sepulveda's third hit of the game drove her in for the game's first run. With the bases loaded and one out, Brandon reached on an error by the first baseman bringing in two more runs. Then, Blakely broke the game open with a two-run single to center. The Demons broke the shutout in the bottom of the sixth and then added two runs in the seventh to close within two, but a groundout to shortstop ended the game and series.


The Cardinals are set to close out their final six home games on Tuesday, which will be their final non-conference action of the season against Tarleton State. The first pitch will be delivered at 3 p.m. 

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