SUGAR LAND, Texas — Lamar University plated three runs in the ninth, including senior Ryan Snell’s fourth home run of the season, to defeat New Mexico State, 5-2, Friday afternoon at Constellation Field.
The Cardinals’ late-inning offense provided the way for LU to remain undefeated on the season and improve to 6-0.
Big Red got another strong start from Brooks Caple who pitched 5.1 innings allowing just two runs – both earned – on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks. He was one of three Cardinals to pitch on the day. He was lifted for Foster Kreuzer in the sixth. Kreuzer pitched 2.1 innings of no-hit baseball with three Ks and gave way to Jackson Cleveland with two outs in the eighth.
Cleveland was the beneficiary of the Cardinals late surge as he went 1.1 innings allowing just one hit with two strikeouts to pick up the win, his second of the season (2-0).
Treyjan Meza got the start for the Aggies going 6.2 with two earned runs on sixth hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks. He was lifted for Matthew Maloney in the seventh inning. Maloney was responsible for the final three runs (on three hits) and took the loss (0-2).
The Cardinals scored their five runs on 10 hits, led by a three-hit day from senior Ben MacNaughton and a two-hit performance from Ethan Ruiz. MacNaughtton went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Ruiz was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Snell had one hit on the day (1-for-5) but he made it count as it gave LU the ninth-inning lead.
The Cardinals got on the board first with two runs in the top of the second. With two outs and a runner at first, MacNaughton smacked a double to left center scoring Banks from first. Five pitches later, MacNaughton came around to score on a single to left off the bat of Ruiz.
After NMSU scratched out runs in the second and fourth innings, the pitchers took control hanging zeros on the board until the ninth. That’s when Big Red put the game away.
Snell got things started when he drove a 3-1 pitch over the wall in left field to give the Cardinals a one-run lead. Two batters later, Tanner Wilson singled to right, followed by a single to center off the bat of MacNaughton. The Aggies then went to their bullpen to face Ruiz and Kevin Bermudez, and Bermudez would make them pay. The Puerto Rico native took a 1-1 offering down the left field line scoring two. Bermudez wound up at third.
That would be more than enough for Cleveland who came in to slam the door shut in the ninth.
The Cardinals will look to keep their winning ways going Saturday when they return to the diamond to face Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks will begin at 7 p.m. from Constellation Field.
