March 5, 2006

Box Score

BEAUMONT - Senior Colt Crawford doubled to lead off the 10th inning and scored the game-winning run with two outs to give the Cardinals a 2-1 win over New Orleans Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Lamar Classic at Vincent-Beck Stadium, which also gave Coach Jim Gilligan his 1,00th career win at Lamar.

Lamar improved its record to 10-6 on the season and ran its winning streak to a season-high five games. UNO dropped to 7-8 on the season. Lamar travels to the University of Houston Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game. The Cardinals posted a 5-4 win over the Cougars in Beaumont this past Tuesday.

The Cardinals posted a 3-0 record at the Lamar Classic with wins over Iona College (23-0) and Connecticut (4-0). In the weekend tournament, Lamar outscored its opponent 29-1.

With the game tied at 1-1, Crawford doubled down the left field line off reliever Justin Garcia (1-3) to lead off the home half of the 10th inning. Chad Barbre popped out to first base trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Erik Kanaby hit a come-backer to Garcia, who looked to have a play on Crawford going to third base, but threw to first to retire Kanaby.

Matt Lambeth, who was 2-for-5, hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield that appeared to be headed into right field, but second baseman Johnny Giavotella make a great diving stab to field the ball. However, his throw to first base was not in time to get a head-first diving Lambeth. That enabled Crawford to score the winning run.

Chuckie Platt (2-0) pitched a scoreless 10th inning, allowing one hit and striking out the side to earn his second win of the season. Garcia allowed one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in taking the loss.

Lamar tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning. C.J. Ebarb reached on a throwing error by Mike Constantino at third base. Ryan Baker singled to left field top put runners on first and second. After Will Henderson popped out to the catcher, UNO shortstop Jarrod Ware led a ground ball from Jo Jo Haney go through his legs into left center field, allowing Ebarb to score from second and tie the game at 1-1.

UNO struck first with a run in the top of the third inning. Nick Mitchell, who was 3-for-4, led off the inning with a single up the middle. Ware followed with a walk. Josh Jones reached on a fielder's choice bunt, with Mitchell getting thrown out at third. Giavotella, who was 3-for-5, singled through the left side to drive in Ware with the game's first run.

UNO starter Bryan Cryer was almost untouchable for much of the game. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and one walk. Derrick Gordon started for Lamar and pitched five strong innings, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.