Lamar rides big inning past UL Monroe

Host Lamar built a five-run lead after scoring five times in the sixth inning and held off UL Monroe’s seventh-inning rally to post a 7-5 victory in the first round of games Tuesday.
 
Sable Hankins had three hits for Lamar, scoring twice and driving in two runs. Kelly Meeuwsen and Corina Thornton also had two hits, while starting pitcher Ciara Luna scattered eight hits and struck out three batters.
 
UL Monroe scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, one on a double from Hunter Hogan, and had two runners on base before making the final out.
 
Lamar will face Abilene Christian in the winner’s half of the double-elim bracket Wednesday, while UL Monroe takes on UT Arlington in the loser’s half.