HUNTSVILLE, Texas ? The Lamar Cardinals raised the bar in Southland Conference play winning its 23rd league tournament game while giving Texas State its first loss of the 2008 tournament, 11-7, in game seven of the 2008 SLC Tournament.
Lamar junior outfielder David Moore led the Cardinals offensive charge setting two SLC Tournament records crushing three homeruns (9) netting 13 total bases.
The Cardinals entered the top of the fifth inning up 3-0 and added six more in an offensive surge as Lamar strung together nine consecutive hits with two homeruns, giving the Lamar a 9-0 lead.
Junior Steven Tucker kicked off the inning with a blast to left center for his fifth of the season. Shortstop Travis Dunson took a 0-1 pitch to right center followed by catcher Jeff Vickers line drive to center field giving Moore a chance to open things up for the Cardinals and he didn’t waste anytime taking a 1-1 pitch to deep left center giving the Cardinals a 6-0 lead.
Facing a run rule, Texas State didn’t fade into the setting Huntsville sun and look to the next game. The Bobcats put four runs up in the bottom of the sixth.
Texas State sophomore catcher Ben Theriot led off the inning slapping the first pitch to second for an infield single. Senior Aaron Fuller followed suit with a single to center field giving the Bobcats two on with no outs. First team all conference short stop Thomas Field gave Texas State its first run of the day singling past second base scoring Theriot.
Laurn Randell reached base on a fielder’s choice scoring a run. After Paul Goldschmidt reached base with a single to left field, Lance Loftin drove in the team’s second run of the day as the team began to gain momentum.
The score stayed locked at 9-4 heading into the ninth inning. Lamar put up an additional two insurance runs as David Moore homered to right field for his third of the day. Tyler Link drove in Lamar’s final run of the day and his third RBI giving the Cardinals an 11-4 lead.
The bottom of the ninth Texas State made a final push as Theriot doubled to right field driving in Bret Atwood. Lamar skipper Jim Gilligan didn’t waste any time going to the bullpen for first team all conference and Pitcher of the Year recipient Tim Erickson who entered the tournament second in the SLC in saves (9).
After Field drew a walk and stole second, Randell singled to left center driving in two runs moving the score to 11-7. But that would be as close as the Bobcats would get as Loftin lined out to second base to end the game with two runners left on base.
With the win Lamar is 2-0 in conference play and will face the winner of tomorrow’s game nine between Texas State and Southeastern Louisiana at four p.m. Friday afternoon.