April 2, 2006

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Senior Matt Lambeth went 2-for-2 with four runs batted in to lead Lamar University to an 8-2 win at Nicholls State Sunday afternoon in Southland Conference baseball action at Didier Field.

Lamar improved to 22-11 overall and 10-2 in SLC play. The Cardinals swept the three game series from the Colonels and are alone in second place in the league standings behind only Texas-Arlington (10-0). Lamar, who swept visiting Stephen F. Austin last weekend in Beaumont, has won seven straight SLC games.

The game was scoreless heading into the fourth inning. Collin DeLome was hit by a pitch to lead off for the Cardinals and stole second. Dan Hernandez walked and Will Henderson sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Lambeth hit a 3-run home to left field, his fifth of the year, to give Lamar a quick 3-0 lead.

Nicholls State (9-22, 2-10) answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jose Higuera singled through the right side and Michael Roberts followed with a single to right. Thomas Bourne sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Michael Muscato delivered a two out, 2-run single to right field to make the score 3-2.

Lamar scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to extend its lead to 5-2. Henderson singled to left field and moved to second on Lambeth's sacrifice bunt. C.J. Ebarb provided a two out, RBI single to right field to drive in Henderson. Jo Jo Haney drove in Ebarb with a double down the left field line.

The Cardinals closed out the scoring with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Erik Kanaby led off the inning with a triple to left center field. He scored on a bloop single to center by DeLome, who was 1-for-4 with two runs scored.

Hernandez, who was 1-for-4 with two runs scored, singled to left field. Henderson, who was 2-for-4, singled to left field to drive in DeLome. Lambeth drove home Hernandez with a sacrifice fly to right field and give the Cardinals an 8-2 lead.

Scott Meyer (3-0) picked up his second win in relief this weekend for Lamar. He pitched four and one-third innings, allowing no runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Chuckie Platt pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Derrick Gordon started and pitched the first 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.

Nicholls starter Aaron George (0-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. Higuera and Roberts each went 2-for-4 to pace the Colonels at the plate.

In the three-game sweep, Lamar scored 24 runs on 41 hits. The Cardinals pitching staff limited Nicholls to 12 runs on 21 hits.