BEAUMONT, Texas – Four runs allowed in the first inning proved too much for Lamar University (4-15, 0-5 SLC) to overcome Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana (15-6, 4-1 SLC). The Cards fell to the Lions 8-1. Jack Dallas threw three scoreless innings in relief, and Cole Coker had three hits on the day.

Those four runs allowed in the first inning came off five hits, a walk, and a double steal. Lamar fought back early, with Philip Ingram drawing a lead-off walk. He advanced to second on a sac bunt from Chase Whetsel, and Coker's first hit of the day placed him on third. A sac fly from Robin Adames scored Ingram, pulling Big Red back within three, 4-1, after the first inning.

Southeastern scored two more in the fourth inning. After drawing a lead-off hit-by-pitch, it appeared as if the Cards would strand the runner on second after a steal. But a well-placed bunt turned into a single, and both runners advanced on a throwing error, scoring the first run. A single through the left side scored the second run before a strikeout ended the inning. Coker collected his second hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth, but he was struck down on the first of two fielder's choice plays, ending the Cardinal threat. After four innings SLU led 6-1 over Lamar.

Lamar's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Whetsel smoked a double to left center on a 2-2 count, and advanced to third when Coker singled to right field, his third hit of the day. A strikeout and a flyout ended the inning, stranding both.

Dallas relieved Sills at the start of the fifth inning and threw three scoreless, allowing just one hit and no walks or hit-by-pitch while striking out two. He was relieved by Marcus Olivarez, who sat down the Lion batters in order in the eighth but surrendered two earned runs on three hits in the ninth. The final from Beaumont: Southeastern Louisiana 8, Lamar 1

Sunday's series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch with Jason Blanchard (0-2, 1.86 ERA) facing Kade Granier (1-2, 4.63 ERA). The Cards will then hit the road for a Tuesday game at Houston before returning to Southland Conference play at Incarnate Word.