COMMERCE, Texas – Lamar University scored 30 runs on 24 hits Saturday to sweep the doubleheader against East Texas A&M by scores of 14-2 (5 inn.), 16-8 (6 inn.) and extend its win streak to six.
Isabella Flores tied a school record with seven RBIs in game one, while the Cardinals established a new single-season record with eight run-rule victories, besting the previous mark of seven by the 2015 club.
In game one, the Cardinals (17-15, 5-4 SLC) overcame an early two-run deficit to score 14 unanswered. Flores, behind two doubles and a grand slam, became the fourth Cardinal with seven RBIs, joining Jenna Holland (Mar. 5, 2013), Sable Hankins (Mar. 16, 2016) and Shelby Henderson (Feb. 17, 2018). Also with three hits was
Cala Wilson, who partnered with
Ariel Flores (two hits) and
Makenzie Wright to homer and collect two RBIs each.
Reagan Smith pitched her second straight complete-game victory, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out two batters.
LU needed six innings in game two to pick up a 16-8 victory.
Gracee Hess recorded a team-high three hits and scored twice. Ariel drove in her season-high five RBIs while she, Wilson (two RBI, 3B), Wright (RBI) and
Riley Whitley (RBI) notched two hits.
Kaylee Cuevas (four runs, three hits, three Ks) earned her fifth win of the season with four innings of work.
Game 1: LU 14, East Texas A&M 2 (5 Inn.)
The Cardinals looked to break out early, but an ETAMU double play killed off a bases-loaded rally. The Lions fed off the double play as they scored twice in their first at-bat. Big Red would try again with the bases loaded in the second and it was
Isabella Flores who delivered the big hit with her grand slam.
LU then managed to plate seven runs in the third as Hess walked with the bases loaded before Isabella cleared the bases with a double. Wilson followed with a single and then came around after Wright homered to left. Two innings later, Ariel and Wilson went back-to-back, which was more than enough for Smith to finish her complete game victory.
Game 2: LU 16, East Texas A&M (6 Inn.)
While the second game started, the Cardinals' home run party continued in the first as both Ariel and Windham drilled three-run blasts for a six-run inning. After each side scored a run in the second, Big Red scored six runs over the next two innings with three RBI singles, two bases-loaded walks and a fielder's choice.
The Lions flipped the tables, outscoring LU 7-2 in the fourth and fifth inning to extend the game into the sixth. Wilson tripled in Isabella to get the eight-run lead back and
Madison Guidry (1.0 IP, one hit) prevented ETAMU from seeing the seventh.
Big Red will start another four-game homestand at the LU Softball Complex Tuesday as it hosts a rematch with Houston. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
