Lamar sports information

ABILENE — Runs did not come at a premium Friday night, but the top of the Lamar baseball team’s order slugged the Cardinals by Abilene Christian 17-11 in the first of a three-game Southland Conference series at Crutcher Scott Field.

The top four of Lamar’s (23-16, 9-9 Southland) order, made up of Cutter McDowell, Reid Russell, Robin Adames and Trey Silvers, was a combined 11-of-21 with 11 runs scored and four driven in, and five of the 11 base hits were for extra bases. Lamar’s 17 runs are the most it’s scored on the season in league play during the 2017 campaign.

McDowell was 2 of 7 with a run, RBI and double, and in the slot behind him Russell was 3 for 6 with three runs, an RBI and long ball. Robin Adames tied his career best for runs in game at four on a 4 for 5 day with two RBI and two extra-base knocks (double and homer). Silvers rounded out the group with 2 for 3 day, two RBI and a double. He drew two walks and was plunked by a pitch to reach five times.

Thirty-eight hits were accounted for between both teams. In total, the game lasted 3 hours, 55 minutes.

Russell, Adames and Chad Fleischman — twice — powered balls over the wall, but it was back-to-back five-run innings that was the story of the game, the first of which came after the Wildcats (10-24, 1-18) used their own five-run third inning to tie the contest.