Lamar Commits Five Errors in 5-2 Loss to Northwestern State :: Keith Towne went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI to pace the Cardinals at the plate.

Keith Towne went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI to pace the Cardinals at the plate.

May 11, 2007

BEAUMONT - Northwestern State took advantage of the long ball and some sloppy Cardinals defense in posting a 5-2 win over Lamar University Friday night in Southland Conference baseball action at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Lamar, who has equaled its season-long losing streak at three games, dropped to 30-21 overall and 17-8 in SLC play. Northwestern State improved to 22-26 overall and 12-12 in SLC play. The Cardinals and Demons will play game two of the three series Saturday at 2 p.m. and close out the three-game set Sunday at 1 p.m.

Northwestern State started the scoring with an unearned run in the top of the third inning. Bernard Williams reached on a throwing error by shortstop Brian Lloyd and stole second. Clay Baker reached on a fielding error by Lloyd, which allowed Williams to score the game's first run.

The Demons added to their lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. Justin O'Neal, who was 2-for-3, led off with an opposite field double down the left field line. Chase Lyles followed with a 2-run home run to left field to give Northwestern State a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals rallied for a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Keith Towne, who was 2-for-3, led off the inning with a single up the middle. Collin DeLome drove in Towne with a 2-out double to left center field to make the score 3-1.

Lamar pulled to within a run at 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Travis Dunson tripled to right center field and scored on Towne's two-out single to left field.

Brandon Richey provided the Demons with an insurance run when he led off the top of the eighth inning with a solo home run to left center field to make the score 4-2.

Northwestern closed the scoring with a run in the top of the ninth inning. Dylan Libadisos led off with a single to right field and moved to second on O'Neal's sacrifice bunt. Lyles reached on a throwing error by Dunson at third base to put runners on the corners. Lyles was caught in a run down trying to steal second, which allowed Libadisos to score during the run down and make the score 5-2.

Allen Harrington (7-4) took the loss for the Cardinals. He allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Ben Rodriguez (4-4) pitched 8 1/3 strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Ryan Campbell recorded the final two outs for his ninth save of the season.