BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University climbed back into first place in the Southland Conference on Sunday evening at Vincent‑Beck Stadium with a three-game sweep of Northwestern State.

The Cardinals won a marathon 15-inning contest in Game 2, 4-3, on a walk-off wild pitch.

In the series finale, LU held off the Demons for a 3-1 victory.

This marked LU's first three-game sweep of Northwestern State at Vincent‑Beck Stadium since 2009.

Game 2 marked the second 15-inning game in program history since 1972 against Louisiana Tech at home.

The LU pitching staff combined for 42 strikeouts during the series, marking the first time the staff recorded 40 or more strikeouts in a three-game set since hosting Binghamton in 2022.
Jarret Williams retired the first 12 batters he faced, striking out seven.

The Cardinals opened the scoring in the fourth inning after Lane Sparks drew a one-out walk and Hector Rodriguez followed with a single through the right side to put runners at first and third.

Kevin Duran then reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop, allowing Sparks to score.

Northwestern State took the lead in the top of the sixth with a three-run home run to deep center field by Joe Siervo.

LU responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning as Sparks led off with a solo home run to right.

The Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the eighth.

Beau Durbin opened the inning with a double through the right side, and Rodriguez followed with a one-out single to center to put runners at the corners.

Duran then brought in the tying run on a fielder's choice to shortstop.

Williams tossed a two-hitter, allowing one earned run while striking out eight.

Travis Lutz followed out of the bullpen, delivering seven strong innings with seven strikeouts, including striking out the side in the seventh.

Blayne Fritcher and Ethan Oceguera combined for three scoreless innings to close out the game.

To set up the decisive 15th inning, Tab Tracy drew a leadoff walk and stole second before Durbin reached on a bunt single to put runners at first and third.

Tracy then slid headfirst across the plate to lift the Cardinals to victory.

GAME NOTES

• Tracy went 2 for 6 with a single, double and a walk.
• Durbin finished 2 for 7 with a single and a double.
• Sparks was walked twice to go 1 for 4 with a home run and an RBI.
• Rodriguez had two singles to finish 2 for 6.
• A.J. Taylor finished 2 for 6 with two singles.
• Jake Wagoner was the fifth Cardinal of the game to tally a two-hit performance, going 2 for 5 with a single, double and a walk.
• The LU pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts while the offense had 12 hits.
• Oceguera improved to 4-1 on the season.

The Cardinals struck first in the bottom of the second inning.

Rodriguez led off with a single to center, followed by Theo Kummer being hit by a pitch.

Duran then moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, setting up Braden Benton's sacrifice fly to center that gave LU the early lead.

LU extended its advantage to 2-0 in the fourth after three of the first four batters reached on singles, with Colby Christian driving in a run on a sacrifice fly to right.

Durbin stretched the lead to 3-0 in the seventh with a two-out RBI double to left center.

Northwestern State answered in the top of the eighth as Brooks Leonard delivered a one-out RBI single to center to cut the deficit.

Fritcher then set the Demons down in order in the ninth to secure the win.

RECORDS: LU (22-18, 14-7); Northwestern State (23-17, 14-10)

GAME NOTES

• Tracy finished 2 for 4 with two singles. He went 7 for 15 (.467) during the series with two doubles.
• Durbin extended his hitting streak to eight games going 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
• Rodriguez finished 1 for 3 with a single and a walk.
• Taylor went 2 for 4 with two singles. He went 6 for 14 (.429) for the series.
• Benton and Kummer each went 1 for 3 with a single. Benton tallied his 16th RBI of the season.
• Cooper Carlgren struck out eight batters in four innings while allowing just two hits and walking one.
• Julius Carpio improved to 2-2 after striking out seven batters and allowing two hits and one earned run in 3.2 innings of relief.
• Fritcher earned his first save of the season.
• The LU pitching staff tallied 16 strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals take on the University of South Alabama at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.