BEAUMONT, Texas — Senior Kevin Bermudez led off the home half of the first with a solo blast to left center and Lamar University never looked back defeating Oakland, 5-4, Sunday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
The victory gave the Cardinals a season-opening series sweep to begin the 2023 campaign.
Sophomore Patrick Hail (1-0) got the start for LU and pitched 4.1 allowing just two earned runs on four hits with a walk to record his first victory of the season. LU used four pitchers out of the bullpen to hold on for the win with Jackson Cleveland pitching the ninth inning for his first career save.
Oakland sent Bryce Konitzer to the mound, but the senior right-hander surrendered the lead in his lone inning of work (leadoff home run to Bermudez) but the Golden Grizzlies would tie the game in the top half of the third.
After Oakland pulled even, they turned things over to Tanner Ware (0-2) who pitched 1.2 allowing two runs – one earned – on one hit to take the loss. The Cardinals scored one run in each of the first three innings as they built a 2-0 lead, then a 3-2 advantage.
LU finished the day with six hits with Bermudez leading the way going 2-for-3 effort with a solo home run and two runs driven in.
Junior Jack Schell was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Cardinals scored their second run after senior Ethan Ruiz led off the inning with a double and was sacrificed over to third. He later came around to score on a wild pitch. Big Red took advantage of more Oakland miscues for their third run of the game, but that came after the Golden Grizzlies tied things up with a two spot in the top of the third.
After transfer Kanin Dodge drew a one-out walk he advanced to second on a wild pitch and managed to get to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Senior Josh Blankenship brought him home on a sacrifice fly to right.
The Cardinals held their one run advantage into the home half of the sixth when they extended the lead. Junior Tanner Wilson got things started with a one-out double down the right field line.
With two outs in the inning, Bermudez was intentionally walked (after building a 3-0 count) bringing Schell to the plate.
The Houston native took advantage of the opportunity driving a ball over the outfielder’s head in right center scoring both runners as Schell legged out a triple.
The triple would give LU five runs and that would be just enough offense as the Cardinals would make it stand for the victory. Oakland made things interesting with a run in the seventh and one in the night, but Cleveland struck out Brandon Heidal to end the game.
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when they travel to College Station, Texas to take on Texas A&M.
The game against the Aggies is slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch.