May 21, 2008

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Steven Tucker hit a bases-loaded single over a drawn-in five-player infield to cap a four-run ninth and lift Lamar to a 8-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana in the opening game of bracket one of the 2008 Southland Conference Tournament.

Lamar (33-21) advances to face Texas State on Thursday at 4 p.m. in a winner's bracket game. The Bobcats defeated Texas-Arlington 22-2 in seven innings behind four SLC Tournament records.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Nik Gumeson's two-run home run. The lead was short-lived as SELA scored three in the next half inning to take a 3-2 lead. Brandon Street hit a two-run triple to right-center and scored on a Xavier Qualls sac bunt.

Each team scored single runs in the fourth, with Lamar's coming off the bat of Jeff Vickers to lead off the home-half of the fourth. The Lions extended their lead to 6-3 with a two-spot in the sixth that chased LU starter Brian Sisk from the game. Lamar cut it to 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh on a sac fly by Jeremiah Sammy.

SELA got the run back in the eighth to set up Lamar's comeback.

The Cardinals actually put runners on first and second with no out in the eighth only to have Travis Dunson hit into a triple play.

After a leadoff walk to Jeff Vickers to start the ninth, David Moore, Gumeson, Sammy and pinch-hitter Chris Dunkin put together four-consecutive singles that tied the game at 7-7. An intentional walk and a fielder's choice kept the bases loaded for Tucker's heroics.

Gumeson went 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Cards. Tucker, Moore and Sammy each had two hits as Lamar finished with 13. LU had managed just four hits through the first six innings before recording nine in the final three. LU sent eight men to the plate in the ninth.

Ricky Testa (3-2) earned the win after throwing 3.1 innings of three-hit ball while allowing just one run in the eighth. Sisk struck out four in 5.2 innings of a no decision.

SELA's Rene LeBlanc (2-4) took the loss after facing five batters to end the game.

Lamar has now won four-consecutive one-run, come-from-behind games, including two walk-off victories.