BEAUMONT — Lamar softball coach Holly Bruder is all about collecting wins for the program.
Chalk up another one for the Cardinals, who defeated the Texas Southern Lady Tigers 7-3 Saturday at the inaugural Cardinal Classic.
It was not the prettiest of wins but the Cardinals (7-2) got it done with a key two-run double by Kelly Meeuwsen to put Lamar ahead for good in the fifth inning.
The Cardinals tacked on another run when Jenna Holland scored off a passed ball to give Lamar the 7-3 advantage.
“We are 4-0 (in the tournament) at the end of the day,” Bruder said. “That counts for a lot. It was not the prettiest of days. The numbers may look OK but if you are watching it, it just was not the prettiest of ball. We were making errors, walking kids and throwing too many pitches. I am glad it is February and not March.”
The Cardinals defeated Alcorn State 7-6 earlier Saturday.
Ciara Luna pitched six innings against Texas Southern (4-5) and gave up eight hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts and no walks. Amie Cisneros worked the final inning and gave up one hit with one walk.
The Lady Tigers did not make it easy for the Cardinals Saturday night.
Texas Southern took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Destiny Chavarria drove home Kierra Powell with a RBI single to left field.
Lamar answered back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the second. The Cardinals scored in a variety of ways, started off with a RBI bunt by Stephanie Meeuwsen that plated Brittany Rodriguez to tie the game at 1-1.
Maddy Myers then put Lamar up 2-1 with a sacrifice fly to center that scored Kelly Meeuwsen. Ashley McDowell’s RBI double to right that scored Stephanie Meeuwsen gave Lamar a 3-1 advantage heading to the third.
“Some of the ways we produced runs early was a sac bunt and and a squeeze,” Bruder said. “Once we feel comfortable with the lead we have, then lets swing and work on a couple of things.”
Texas Southern tied the game with two runs in the top of the third before Lamar went ahead for good in the bottom of the inning.
Sable Hankins put Lamar up 4-3 when West Orange-Stark graduate Sarah Ragsdale attempted to steal second. Hankins was on third and took off when the Texas Southern catcher threw to get the out at second on Ragsdale.
“February is about working out your kinks,” Bruder said. “A lot of people will say ‘Coach it is early.’ Early was August. If you can say you didn’t play well and win with seven runs, I guess you can’t be too disappointed.”
The Cardinals return to the field at 10 a.m. today against Northern Colorado.
Lamar will tie the longest winning streak in program history if the team wins today. The Cardinals have won six straight dating back to a 14-6 win over Utah Valley on Feb. 13 at the UNLV Tournament.