BEAUMONT, Texas — From: Lamar Athletics
Senior Julia Voluntad limited the Bears of Central Arkansas to four hits in a 1-0 shutout victory for Lamar University on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Cards to 17-20 on the season and 8-4 in SLC play.
Voluntad limited the Bears offense as she only allowed four hits over her complete game performance. She recorded two strikeouts as she picked up her sixth win of the season. Savana Guidry picked up the RBI single that scored the lone run in the game.
In the top of the first, Voluntad came out and got the Bears to ground into two outs and Libby Morris lined a ball to right field where Cards right fielder, Savana Mata laid out and made a diving catch to end the inning.
LU looked to threaten in the bottom of the first inning. Kelly Meeuwsen and Shannon Klaus led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back walks. A sac bunt moved the Cards runners up a base. However, LU could not get a run across and the score remained 0-0.
The Bears looked to threaten in the top of the third. After Voluntad got a ground out, Siesemore reached on an error. Blackburn followed with a single to the left side putting two on. The next hitter for the Bears was Crutchmer, who was called out for hitting the ball out of the box. After a hit by pitch loaded the bases for UCA. Voluntad settled down and got the next hitter to fly out to end the inning.
Lamar broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Jade Lewis doubled to deep right field. Guidry followed with a single up the middle that scored Lewis, putting LU ahead, 1-0.
The Bears would get the leadoff hitter on in the top of the fifth inning. The next hitter Voluntad settled back in and got a strikeout. Erin Acors come up to pitch hit for the Bears. Voluntad got Acors to ground into a double play ending the inning.
With one out, LU put two runners on in the bottom of the fifth looking for some insurance runs. Lewis singled through the left side for her second hit of the game and Guidry reached on a Bears error. However, the next two Cards hitters were retired ending the threat.
Like the fifth inning, the Bears got the leadoff hitter on in the sixth. Voluntad than got Morris to ground into a double play. Cylla Hill followed with a single. Voluntad did not let her advance any bases as Laura Brooks flew out to Guidry in foul territory.
The Cards took the 1-0 lead into the top of the seventh inning. Voluntad continued to limit the Bears at the plate as she got Morgan Felts to ground out to start the inning. Tylar Vernon reached on an error and went to second on a sac bunt for the second out of the inning. With the tying run on second base, Voluntad got Blackburn to ground out to short and LU came away with a 1-0 victory. With the win, LU took the series, 2-1 over the Bears.
Lamar returns to action on Wednesday, April 3 when they travel to Houston, Texas to face the University of Houston. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from the Cougar Softball Stadium.