BEAUMONT, Texas – In her last start at the LU Softball Complex, Lamar University senior Reagan Smith pitched seven innings against UIW Saturday, but would be on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision against the league's other Cardinals, who managed to avoid being swept.
 
Smith struck out one batter while allowing six hits. UIW scored its only run in the top of the third inning when it loaded the bases and came away with the game's only run on a fielder's choice. For Big Red, Cimara-lei Wessling recorded the only hits of the game.
 
LU (28-21, 14-10 SLC) had its best chance to score in the bottom of the fifth when Wessling singled to center and was pinch run for by Kamaryn Radford, who then advanced to third from an error. UIW escaped the jam with a strikeout and would eventually retire the last six batters for the shutout.  
 
Big Red stands two wins away from reaching its first 30-win season in nine years. It will conclude the regular season with a road series against Houston Christian. Friday's doubleheader will start at 4 p.m. while Saturday's finale takes place at noon. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
 

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