BEAUMONT, Texas — It was a beautiful night for baseball in Southeast Texas as Lamar hosted the UT Arlington Mavericks.
Vincent-Beck stadium was the site as Big Red opened their 2024 home campaign with a solid victory over the Mavericks.
Jacob Ellis got the nod in today's start as he didn't allow a hit until 2 outs in the 5th inning, Mavericks' Tyson Pointer crushed a solo shot to break the 0-0 tie and disrupt the no-hitter.
The Cards proceeded to wake up the bats in the 6th inning by way of a two-out rally sparked by Drake Varnado who smoked a double into the left-center gap.
Zak Skinner sneaked one into right field where Pointer had trouble with it, allowing Varnado to score without a throw and for Skinner to arrive at third safely.
Luke Bumpus immediately followed that act with his own knock into center field, allowing Skinner to score as Lamar jumped out in front to make it 2-1 in the 6th.
Austin Neal came in relief of Ellis in the 7th keeping the Mavs at bay.
Big Red slapped another couple of runs on the board with a Brayden Evans double that delivered River Orsak to the plate.
With runners at the corners with one out, Ricky Sanchez came off the bench for Logan Hamm putting one in play to third base scoring the RBI.
Neal had trouble in the 9th and was relieved by Andres Perez who forced a double play and struck out Tyce Armstrong to earn a save and give Lamar a 4-1 victory.
Lamar will open game two in the series tomorrow at 5 PM at Vincent-Beck Stadium.