BEAUMONT, Texas – Isabella Flores tallied four hits, including a walk-off three-run homer, to help Lamar University come away with a split against Southland Conference foe Stephen F. Austin at the LU Softball Complex Thursday.
 
The Ladyjacks rallied from a two-run deficit in the seventh inning to take game one, 4-2. Four Cardinals recorded a hit, including Gracee Hess (RBI) and Roxy Thompson (RBI). Kaylee Cuevas (6.1 innings) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.
 
Like SFA in game one, the Cardinals rallied back from two runs in their last at-bat to even the series with a 6-5 victory. Flores collected three hits and four RBIs, while Makenzie Wright added two hits. Reagan Smith (2.1 IP, four runs, three strikeouts) got the start, but it was Madison Guidry (one run, four hits) who got the win with 4.2 innings of relief pitching.
 
Game 1: Stephen F. Austin 4, LU 2
After escaping trouble in the first two innings, the Cardinals got a break in the second as Wessling reached third on an error by SFA's right fielder. She then came in to score on a sac fly by Thompson. In the third, the Ladyjacks loaded the bases with one out, but Cuevas racked up a pair of strikeouts to get out of the inning. 
 
LU added a run in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single by Hess. Cuevas took her shutout into the top of the seventh inning and recorded one out before an error allowed the Ladyjacks to get on the board. Smith came in but immediately gave up a two-run double and an RBI single to give SFA the lead. LU was retired in order in the home half of the seventh as the Ladyjacks closed out the first game.
 
Game 2: LU 6, Stephen F. Austin 5
The Ladyjacks plated four runs in the top of the third inning. LU responded in its half by cutting the deficit in half as it scored on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Flores. The Cardinals threatened to tie the game by putting two runners in scoring position, but an unsuccessful squeeze play killed off the rally.
 
A run came in for both teams in the fifth as Flores hit a one-out double before scoring on a single by Cala Wilson. Pinch hitter Ava Blakely and Hess singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. That brought up Flores, who sent a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left-center to pull out the comeback victory.
 
 
The Cardinals will look to clinch their first series victory over SFA in seven seasons Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled for noon and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.