BEAUMONT, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word fell 5-2 in conference action to Lamar University tonight on the road. UIW is now 13-13 and 5-8 on the season, while Lamar improved to 16-10 and 9-4 in the Southland Conference.

Lamar took an early lead in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run to left to go in front, but in the top of the fourth, Cole Tabor led off with a solo home run to cut the lead to, 2-1.

UIW tied the game in the top of the fifth. It started when Christian Enriquez singled to right and then moved to second on a groundout to first. He later scored when Drake Anderson singled through the left side of the infield to tie the game at two.

The other Cardinals broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth off an RBI single to right center to take a 3-2 lead over UIW. Lamar then added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh off a two-run triple with two down to go up, 5-2.

UIW in the top of the ninth looked to rally, but Lamar set the Cardinals down in order to take the first game of the series.

Starting pitcher allowed two runs on one hit in three and two-thirds of an inning, while reliever Ashton Perkins allowed one run on three hits in an inning and two-thirds. He took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season.

Enriquez finished the game going 2-for- 5 with an RBI, while Tabor was 2-for-4 with an RBI, a home run, and a run scored. His home run was his eighth of the season.

Jake Weaver, Colin Cymbalista, Thomas Lyssy, and Anderson each tallied a hit.

UIW is back at it tomorrow night at 5:05 p.m. for game two of the series. The game can be seen on ESPN+.