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Cardinals win with late rally

LU improves to 23-28 on the season and 14-8 in Southland Conference play

BEAUMONT, Texas — BEAUMONT, Texas – On "Back the Blue" night at the LU Softball Complex, Lamar University trailed by two runs heading to the bottom of the seventh, and Lamar scored three runs in the seventh defeating SLC leading Nicholls, 5-4, on Friday evening.
 
Jade Lewis picked up an RBI single in the seventh that set up the game-winning double by Kelly Meeuwsen that scored two. With the win, LU improves to 23-28 on the season and 14-8 in Southland Conference play.
 
Lamar clinched a berth into the Southland Conference Tournament, with the victory over Nicholls. The SLC Tournament will be held May 7-10 in Natchitoches, La.
 
Leading LU in hits in the contest was Shaina Amir with three hits. Lewis and Meeuwsen followed with two hits each. Aaliyah Ruiz pitched a complete game, while only allowing seven hits. For Ruiz, it was her sixth win of the season.
 
After a scoreless first inning that saw each team pick up one hit the Cards struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Meeuwsen singled to lead off the inning. After an out, Victoria Garivey doubled to right center that scored Meeuwsen putting LU ahead, 1-0.
 
The lead did not last long as Nicholls answered back in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Kali Clement hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored one. Kasey Frederick hit another sac fly for the second run of the game putting the Colonels ahead, 2-1. Samantha Dares hit a single scoring the third run of the game for Nicholls, extending its lead to 3-1.
 
Lamar looked to answer back in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Shaina Amir singled up the middle. Kimberly Mattox followed as she reached on an Error putting two runners on. With two outs, Meeuwsen drew a walk loading the bases, however, the Cards would leave the bases loaded.
 
Nicholls extended its lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning. With one out and runners on the corners, Amanda Gianelloni laid down a bunt that scored one putting Nicholls ahead, 4-1.
 
Lamar slowly started chipping away in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Lewis hit a solo home run off the foul pole for her second home run of the season that put LU down, 4-2.
 
After allowing four runs early, Aaliyah Ruiz settled in and only allowed one hit to the Colonels in the fifth and sixth inning. Ruiz continued to deal in the seventh as she got a fly out, ground out and lineout to head to the bottom of the seventh trailing, 4-2.
 
Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh inning, LU started a one out rally. Amir got the hits started for LU with a double down the left field line. Mattox followed with a single through the right side putting runners on the corners. Lewis picked up an RBI single. On Lewis' hit, Mattox went to third and Lewis went to second on the throw.
 
With the winning run on second base, Meeuwsen came up to the plate. She took the first pitch for a ball. She hit a double to center on the next pitch scoring two and giving LU a 5-4 comeback victory over Nicholls.
 
The Cards and Colonels conclude their three-game series on Saturday, April 27 with a doubleheader. LU and Nicholls square off in game one starting at 12 p.m. The Cards will honor its seniors following the second game of the doubleheader.

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