March 17, 2006

Box Score

BEAUMONT - Senior Matt Lambeth went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three runs batted in, helping Lamar University post a 13-3 win over Texas-San Antonio in Southland Conference baseball action at Vincent-Beck Stadium. The game ended in the bottom of the eighth inning after the Cardinals scored three runs to go up by 10 runs.

Lamar improved to 14-9 overall and 3-1 in SLC play. UTSA dropped to 12-8 overall and 0-1 in SLC play, and had its eight-game winning streak snapped. The Cardinals and Roadrunners continue the three-game series today at 2 p.m.

The Cardinals pounded out 18 hits as eight of the nine starters collected at least one hit. Lamar also tallied five extra-base hits. Lambeth's four hits in the game represented a career high.

Steve Macfarland (4-1) worked the first six innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits with nine strikeouts and three walks. Chuckie Platt pitched the final two innings, allowing no runs or hits with two strikeouts.

UTSA struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Marshall Davis walked and Michael McKennon singled with one out. Both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball by catcher C.J. Ebarb. Lee Todesco delivered a two-out, 2-run single to right field.

The Cardinals responded with five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Erik Kanaby led off the inning with a walk, stole second and scored on Collin DeLome's RBI single to right field. After DeLome stole second, Dan Hernandez, who was 3-for-4, singled to left field to put runners on the corners. C.J. Ebarb drove in DeLome with an RBI ground out to second.

Will Henderson, who was 3-for-5 with four RBI, singled up the middle to drive in Hernandez. Matt Lambeth cleared the bases with a 2-run home run to left field to put Lamar up 5-2.

Lamar added four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control of the game. Hernandez doubled to right center to lead off the inning and Ebarb followed with a double down the right field line to drive in Hernandez. Will Henderson hit a 2-run home run to left field.

Lambeth singled to center field for the fourth straight hit in the inning. Haney followed with a single to left field on a hit and run to put runners on the corners. Kanaby, who was 2-for-4, reached on an infield single, driving in Haney to put the Cardinals up 9-2.

UTSA scored a run in the top of the fifth inning. Phillip Allen walked and moved to second on a ground out. J.R. Voyles drove him in with a single to right center to make the score 9-3.

In the sixth, DeLome double to center field and Hernandez walked. Both runners moved up a base on a balk by reliever Andy Benedict. Ebarb, who was 1-for-3 with four RBI, drove in DeLome with a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the Cardinals' lead to 10-3.

Baker singled up the middle to start the game-ending rally in the home half of the eighth inning. Pinch-hitter Cory Zimmerman drew a walk and Hernandez singled to left field to load the bases. Baker scored on Ebarb's second sacrifice fly of the game to put Lamar up 11-3. Henderson singled down the right field line to drive in Zimmerman. Lambeth beat on an infield hit, which allowed pinch-runner Chad Barbre score the game-ending run, 13-3. The 10-run rule after seven innings of play is utilized in all conference games.

UTSA starter Steven Vasquez (2-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs on nine hits in two innings of work. McKennon led the Roadrunners at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.