Late Lamar runs sink Tarleton in game 2

STEPHENVILLE – The Tarleton bats were firing throughout the game with eight runs on 13 hits, but Lamar was a few steps ahead as they downed the Texans 15-8 at the Tarleton Baseball Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Texans (9-21, 5-9 WAC) were led offensively by Kemuel Thomas-Rivera, who had four hits including a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Jake Escalon added three hits of his own highlighted by a two-run blast to left field that had an exit velocity of 104.5 miles per hour in the eighth inning. Tarleton’s season leader in hits, Alec Williams, added two more on the day.

Lamar (20-12, 9-5 WAC) struck first in the first inning, with two runs on two hits. Tarleton answered in the bottom half with London Green hitting a solo home run out to right field to make it 2-1.

The Cardinals were not done though as they added two more in the second and a lone run in the third to go out ahead 5-1. They were led by left fielder Matthew McDonald who had five hits and three RBI.

Cardinal starting pitcher Adam Wheaton (5-1) picked up the win as he tossed 7.0 innings while giving up four runs on eight hits with a lone strikeout.

Tarleton starting pitcher Jake Burcham (0-1) was tagged with the loss after throwing 3.0 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits. He struck out three. Tarleton turned to Zach Poe who also threw 3.0 innings giving up three runs on five hits.

Lamar compiled 10 runs from the sixth through eighth innings to stretch a 5-1 lead to 15-4.

Devon Patel entered the game in the seventh and forced a flyout to right field and struck a Cardinal out looking for two quick outs to start the inning. Lamar proceeded to hit three home runs and single to put four runs on the board with two outs.

Freshman Kyler Mentzel entered in the eighth for Patel and lasted three batters, walking two and hitting another before Landon Cody took over. Cody threw the final 2.0 frames allowing no runs on four hits.

Tarleton brought four runs home in the eighth. Back-to-back doubles from Williams and Thomas-Rivera scored Williams, and Thomas-Rivera later came across home on a wild pitch. The other two runs were courtesy of Escalon’s home run.