ARLINGTON, Texas — Lamar University seemed firmly in control with a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but the closing moments of Game 2 against UT Arlington took an unexpected turn.

The Mavericks rallied for four runs in the ninth to force extra innings.

In the top of the 10th, Kevin Duran came through with a go‑ahead RBI double to left center, lifting the Cardinals to a 5-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Clay Gould Ball Park.

The Cardinals broke through in the top of the second when Braden Benton launched a solo home run to left center.

After being limited to just one hit over the next three innings, LU added to its lead as A.J. Taylor opened the fifth with a leadoff solo shot.

Lamar pushed the advantage further in the seventh.

Reese Beheler worked a leadoff walk, and Balin Valentine followed with a double to left. Beau Durbin then delivered a two‑run single up the middle, extending the Cardinals' lead.

UT Arlington rallied in the bottom of the ninth, sending nine batters to the plate as part of its comeback effort.

Two Mavericks hitters were hit by pitch with the bases loaded while the other two runs in the ninth came on a fielder's choice to second and an RBI single through the left side.

In the top of the 10th, Benton sparked the rally with a one‑out infield single deep in the hole between third and second.

Lane Sparks entered as a pinch‑runner, and moments later, Duran lifted a ball into left center that skipped past the diving center fielder to put LU ahead.

RECORDS: LU (4-3); UT Arlington (2-4)

GAME NOTES

• The LU offense tallied 12 hits.
• Duran finished 3 for 4 with a single, two doubles, a walk and an RBI. He tallied the first three-hit game of the season.
• Taylor went 2 for 4 with a single, home run and an RBI.
• Benton tallied a single, home run and an RBI to go 2 for 5.
• Tab Tracy had a pair of singles to finish 2 for 5.
• Durbin now has 10 RBIs this season. He went 1 for 5 with a single and two RBIs.
• Durbin, Taylor and Tracy all sport a seven-game hitting streak.
• Benton has reached base safely in his last seven games.
• Taylor and Durbin are tied for the team lead in hits with 10 each.
• Taylor is batting a team-high .455 to go along with a team-leading .682 slugging percentage and .538 on base percentage.
• Chris Olivier threw five innings allowing five hits with three strikeouts.
• The LU bullpen finished with seven strikeouts.
• Ty Dagley struck out two batters in two innings of scoreless relief not allowing a single hit.
• Julius Carpio fanned two batters in a scoreless inning of relief.
• Ethan Oceguera improved to 2-1 after throwing a scoreless 10th without giving up a hit.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals conclude the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.