BEAUMONT, Texas –A two-run walk-off homerun from Chad Fleischman gave Lamar a 3-1 Southland Conference victory over the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team on Saturday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game two of the series was a strong pitching duel between
Bernie Martinez and Jimmy Johnson that came down to the last swing of the game.
The game was scoreless into the sixth inning but then Lamar (14-10, 3-5 SLC) jumped out on top with a solo homerun from Trey Silvers. This would be the only run Martinez would allow in his seven innings of work.
The Cardinals (13-11, 4-4 SLC) struggled offensively against Johnson but they were able to get to him in the eighth inning. It all started with a one-out double From
Ryan Gonzalez, who would then come in to score on a two-out RBI single from
Eddy Gonzalez to knot it up 1-1.
In the bottom of the eighth, Lamar loaded the bases with one and Silvers, who hit a homerun earlier in the game, came up to bat to try to give Lamar the lead. Silvers hit a 2-0 pitch to centerfield that looked to be good enough for a sacrifice fly, but
Mark Whitehead cut the runner down at the plate to preserve the 1-1 tie.
The Cardinals wasted a one-out double from
David Anaya in the top of the ninth as they were unable to score. Lamar then started the bottom half of the inning with a Bryndan Arredondo single through the left side, and Fleischman followed with a first pitch homerun over the left field fence.
Johnson's complete-game gem earned him the win, allowing seven hits, one run, no walks and five strikeouts. UIW's starter, Martinez, got a no-decision after allowing one run in seven innings. He gave up six hits, no walks, and struck out five.
Lance Moszkowicz got tabbed with the loss after giving up the walk-off homerun. He is now 2-1 on the year.
LEADERS
Anaya followed a 3-RBI game on Friday, with a 3-hit game Saturday. He led the UIW offense and hit one of their two doubles.
Ryan Gonzalez and
Eddy Gonzalez each collected two hits, while the second baseman scored the only run for the Cardinals.
For Lamar, Fleischman continued his hot hitting, as he went 3-for-4, with two RBI and a run scored. He is now 7-for-8, with six RBI in the series.
UP NEXT
Game three of the series is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.
John Shull (2-2, 5.40 ERA) will face Lamar's Jace Campbell (1-1, 4.09 ERA)
STAY TUNED
After the weekend series, UIW will play a non-conference midweek game on Tuesday at the University of Houston at 6:30 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
