March 26, 2006

Box Score

BEAUMONT - Junior Dan Hernandez hit a grand slam home run and sophomore Allen Harrington picked up his first win of the season as Lamar University shutout Stephen F. Austin 8-0 Sunday afternoon in Southland Conference baseball action at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Lamar, who swept the three-game series from the Lumberjacks, improved to 19-10 overall and 7-2 in SLC play. SFA dropped to 5-22 overall and 2-10 in SLC play. The Cardinals, who have won five straight, host Texas A&M Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Lamar broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Collin Delome started a two-out rally with a walk. Hernandez reached in a catcher's interference call and C.J. Ebarb walked to load the bases. Will Henderson singled to right field to drive in DeLome and Hernandez to give Lamar a 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals added five more in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jo Jo Haney reached on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Gabriel Garcia. Colt Crawford, who was 2-for-3, doubled down the left field line to drive in Haney.

Erik Kanaby walked and advanced to second, Crawford to third, on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Baker. DeLome, who was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, was hit by a pitch. Hernandez followed with a grand slam home run down the left field line to put Lamar up 7-0.

Lamar closed out the scoring with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Crawford singled to center field and Kanaby reached on another two-base throwing error by Garcia. DeLome drove in Kanaby with a single to right field.

Harrington (1-2), making his second start of the season, pitched seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Brian Needham and Chuckie Platt each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. SFA starter Richard Folmer (0-1) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs on two hits with two strikeouts and five walks in 4 2/3 innings pitched.