BEAUMONT, Texas –  Oakland (0-2, 0-0 HL) fell to Lamar (2-0, 0-0 SLC), 8-2 in the series opener that was postponed and completed Saturday, and game two of the series against the Cardinals, 9-7, at Vincent-Beck Stadium. 

GAME ONE:
Aidan Orr delivered a critical performance with a home run, tallying two RBIs and scoring one run. Redshirt-senior Jack Lux contributed with a perfect pinch-hit appearance, recording a hit in his only at-bat. On the mound, sophomore Brody Fahnestock struck out six batters over four innings, despite allowing four earned runs. Junior Ben Clark added a double and scored a run in his four plate appearances.

Lamar took an early lead in the first inning, scoring an unearned run after a hit by pitch and a throwing error allowed the runner to advance and eventually score on a single by Tab Tracy.

In the second frame, the Cardinals extended their advantage with a four-run burst. A double to left center by Beau Durbin drove in two runs, followed by another two runs scoring on a single by Tracy.

Oakland managed to break through in the eighth inning. Clark doubled to left-center, setting up Orr, who hit a two-run home run to right field, reducing Lamar's lead to 6-2 after the eighth inning.

Lamar responded in the bottom of the eighth with two more runs, capitalizing on a wild pitch and an RBI single to cap the game.

Right-hander Fahnestock got the opening day start for the Golden Grizzlies, pitching 4 innings and allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits, while striking out 6 batters with 2 walks and 2 hit batsmen. Senior Jaxson Easterlin had a solid relief appearance, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and inducing a double play before redshirt-junior Stephen Ruhle pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing one earned run on one hit and one walks, while striking out two. Freshman Tagertt Dillard saw time in his first collegiate appearance in his 2/3 inning of work, surrendering two runs on two hits, whereas Ryan Donley closed the game with a third of an inning of scoreless pitching.
 

GAME TWO:
The center fielder Orr continued a hot-streak, contributing with two hits and a double, while also stealing two bases. Clark finished with two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Senior Carter Hain recorded two hits and a double, adding an RBI and scoring a run as Sophomore Aidan Schuck went two-for-five on the day and picked up an RBI.

Oakland opened the game strong with a two-run first inning. Schuck singled to start things off, followed by a walk by fifth-year Kyle Revere. Redshirt-sophomore Lucas Day earned the fielder's choice to second base, allowing Schuck to score the first run. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed Revere to score, giving the Golden Grizzlies a 2-0 lead.

In the second inning, the Golden Grizzlies continued their offensive momentum, adding two more runs. Sophomore Sam Patton singled and stole second base before Orr doubled to drive him in. Schuck's RBI single scored Orr, extending the lead.

Oakland added another run in the third frame as Clark doubled down the right field line and was brought home by Hain's RBI single, pushing the lead.

The Cardinals responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, closing the gap. A wild pitch in the sixth allowed Hain to score for the Golden Grizzlies, maintaining a four-run advantage.

Lamar seized control in the seventh inning, scoring four runs. A two-RBI single from Tracy highlighted the inning, allowing Lamar to take the lead.

In the eighth, a throwing error led to another run for the Cardinals, who extended their lead before the Golden Grizzlies were unable to recover.

Oakland's pitching staff saw mixed results in their game against the Cardinals. Right-hander Jordan Dahlof started the game, delivering 3.2 innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs, earning four strikeouts, but allowing four walks. Grad senior Ethan Glassman followed with a challenging outing, pitching 2 2/3 innings and conceding five runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Sophomore Wyatt Ruppenthal pitched 1.1 innings in relief, giving up one hit and one earned run while walking three before Donley closed the game with a brief appearance, recording one out on two pitches without allowing a hit or run.
 

The Golden Grizzlies and Cardinals will meet for the series closer at Vincent-Beck Stadium, tomorrow, Feb. 15 with senior lefty Tanner Ware on the mound for Oakland. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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