BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University erased a four-run deficit and held off McNeese late to secure an 11-10 victory Sunday afternoon at Vincent‑Beck Stadium.

The win gave the Cardinals their first series victory over the Cowboys since 2024 and improved LU's all-time record in the series to 123‑96‑2.

McNeese struck first, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning.

Hayden Stringfellow delivered an RBI single to right, and another run scored on a Lamar fielding miscue.

The Cardinals answered immediately in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs on four hits.

Hector Rodriguez got on base with a one‑out single through the left side and later moved to second on a fielder's choice by Brayden Evans.

Jake Wagoner followed with a ground‑rule double to left‑center, and Lane Sparks drove in a run with a bunt single to third.

After Balin Valentine worked a walk, Tab Tracy capped the inning with a two‑RBI infield single to first to put LU in front.

Lamar added another run shortly after when Braden Benton drew a bases‑loaded walk.

McNeese trimmed the deficit in the third as Marcus Heusohn doubled to right following Danny Barbero's leadoff single.

The Cowboys then regained momentum in the fourth, scoring three runs on four hits.

Matt Stancliff highlighted the inning with a two‑RBI triple down the left‑field line, Barbero added an RBI double, and Heusohn drove in another run with a single through the right side.

Benton drove in his second run of the game later in the fourth with a groundout that scored Valentine.

McNeese pushed its lead to four in the fifth when Barbero delivered a two‑RBI single to center.

Lamar began its comeback in the bottom of the fifth.

Evans and Wagoner opened the inning with back‑to‑back singles before Valentine was walked to load the bases.

Tracy was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and A.J. Taylor followed with a clutch two‑RBI single to center to pull the Cardinals within two.

The Cardinals regained the lead in the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits.

Beau Durbin and Rodriguez started the inning with consecutive singles, and Kevin Duran moved both runners into scoring position with a pinch‑hit sacrifice bunt.

Wagoner then tied the game at nine with a groundout to second.

Sparks drew a walk, Valentine was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Tracy delivered the go‑ahead two‑RBI single to right.

McNeese scratched across a run in the seventh on Stancliff's infield RBI single, but the Cowboys were held hitless over the final two innings as Lamar closed out the one‑run win.

RECORDS: LU (12-8, 6-3); McNeese (9-10, 4-5)

GAME NOTES

• Tracy finished 2 for 3 with two singles, a walk and five RBIs. Tracy extends his on base streak to 11 games.
• Rodriguez went 3 for 5 with two singles and a double to extend his hitting streak to seven games.
• Wagoner tallied a single, a double and an RBI to finish 2 for 4.
• Taylor went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk and two RBIs.
• Sparks scored twice going 1 for 4 with a single, a walk and an RBI.
• Valentine and Tracy reached base four times. Valentine finished 1 for 1 with a single, three runs scored and two walks.
• Durbin tallied his team-leading 28th hit of the season, going 1 for 5 with a single.
• Evans went 1 for 3 with a single and two runs scored.
• The Cardinals out-hit the Cowboys, 12-11.
• Blayne Fritcher earned his first win of the season after throwing 1.1 hitless innings of relief with two strikeouts.
• Julius Carpio picked up his second save after throwing two scoreless innings not allowing a hit with one strikeout.
• The pitching staff struck out seven batters.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals host Sam Houston at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.