| Junior James Keithley was 3-for-4 on Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to a UTSA-record 24 games. |
BEAUMONT ? Junior shortstop James Keithley went 3-for-4 to extend his career-high hitting streak to a UTSA-record 24 games, but it was not enough, as six Lamar pitchers held the Roadrunners to just one run on six hits in a 2-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
UTSA saw its four-game winning streak come to an end in dropping to 25-12 on the season, but the Roadrunners finished their season-long nine-game road trip with a solid 7-2 record.
Keithley's one-out infield single in the third inning broke the standard set by J.R. Voyles two seasons ago, but only two other Roadrunners had hits on the day.
The Cardinals, who halted a five-game losing streak to improve to 21-15, scored single runs in the first two frames off UTSA starter Andy Benedict and never looked back.
Anthony Moore led off the opening inning with a bunt single down the first-base line. After Moore stole second, Benedict was charged with a balk and Lamar's center fielder then came home Steven Tucker's ground out to second base.
The Cardinals added another tally one stanza later, again with the help of a balk. Brian Taylor drew a one-out walk, moved to second on Benedict's second balk in as many innings and crossed the plate on Tyler Link's base hit to center one batter later.
UTSA put up its lone run of the afternoon in the sixth off Lamar reliever Brian Needham.
Senior first baseman Trent Lockwood and junior left fielder Jose Hernandez drew back-to-back walks with one down and Lockwood scored on freshman catcher Tyler Carpenter's chopper through the left side of the infield.
The Roadrunners put runners on first in both the seventh and eighth innings, but they could not mount a threat beyond that.
Cardinals left-handed closer Tim Erickson retired UTSA in order in the ninth on just four pitches to pick up his seventh save of the season. Right-handed starter Ryne Nelson, working on a pitch count, was credited with his second victory of the year after blanking UTSA on just one hit and striking out a pair in the first two innings.
Matt Morgal kept the Roadrunners at bay in the third and fourth frames, John Ross Ramirez put up a goose egg in the fifth and Justin Walker did the same over 2.2 stanzas before Erickson closed things out.
Benedict (2-1), making his first start since March 26, allowed two runs on three hits and struck two in dropping the first decision of his career.
Junior J.P. Holton, senior Mark Ruffin and sophomore Zach Calhoon combined to hold Lamar scoreless on just three singles over the final four frames.
UTSA returns home for the first time since March 30 on Friday when it opens a three-game Southland Conference series against Stephen. F. Austin (14-21, 3-11 SLC) at Roadrunner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and senior right-hander Steven Vasquez (6-2, 3.92 ERA) is slated to face Lumberjacks righty Erik Gregersen (0-1, 6.92).