BEAUMONT – For the second time this weekend, the Lamar Cardinals walked off the East Texas A&M University softball team, taking Saturday afternoon's series finale by a score of 5-4 at the LU Softball Complex.
 
Lamar took all three games of the series, though needed extra innings for one and walked off in the seventh inning on Saturday. The Cardinals are now 18-13 on the season and 6-3 in Southland Conference play, while the Lions fall to 7-25 overall and 3-6 in SLC action.
 
Veronica Harrison singled to left with an out in the bottom of the first and Cala Wilson drilled a two-run home run to left center, putting the Cardinals up 2-0 after one.
 
With an out in the top of the second, Emmie Miehe (Cameron Park, Calif.) drew a walk and came around to score on a double to left by Aaliyah Wilcox (Covington, Ga.). Wilcox advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hailey Montemayor (Lubbock – Monterrey).

Darby Hickey (Plano Senior) entered the game as a pinch hitter and drilled a double down the right field line, plating Wilcox. The Lions had runners at second and third to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the second, Raigan Brannon walked with an out in the inning. After a flyout, Gracee Hess doubled to left as Brannon advanced to third and she scored on an infield single by Jayne Sepulveda as the Lions tagged out Hess at the plate to end the inning.
 
Miehe hit an infield single to reach base with no outs in the top of the fourth. Montemayor once again hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Miehe to second, who scored on a single up the middle by Hickey, who advanced to second on the throw.
 
Emma Rodrigues (Little Elm – John Paul II) singled to center with an out in the top of the seventh and Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) followed with a single to center, as Rodrigues advanced to third on a fielding error. Anger stole second and Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) drove home Rodrigues with a sacrifice fly just outside the infield dirt to first.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Brannon walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kailee Amos. Hess followed with a double to left, plating Brown and tied the game. Rose Gonzales came in as a pinch hitter and hit a single to center, bringing home Hess as the Cardinals walked it off for the second time this series.
 
Hickey went 2 for 3 in the game for the Lions, collecting two RBIs, while both Wilson and Hess went 2 for 3 each at the plate for the Cardinals.
 
Julia Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) took the loss for the Lions, allowing five earned runs in 6.1 innings of work. Kaylee Cuevas started the game for the Cardinals, tossing 6.1 innings as well and allowed three earned runs. Mallory Pitre came in to get the final two outs of the seventh and picked up the win for Lamar.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions play nine of their next 12 at home, beginning with a series against Northwestern State next weekend. Friday's doubleheader is set for 5 p.m. and the series finale comes on Saturday at noon. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.