SOUTHLAND SERIES FINALE SET FOR SUNDAY IN CORPUS CHRISTI

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — The Lamar Cardinals and the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders will meet Sunday afternoon to decide their Southland Conference series after splitting the first two games.

The Cardinals (13-10, 2-3 Southland) evened the series with a 7-3 victory Saturday afternoon behind a dominant pitching performance. The Islanders (11-12, 2-3) took the opener 6-1 on Friday.

Sunday’s finale is scheduled for an afternoon start at Chapman Field.

Lamar will look to build on Saturday’s momentum, which was fueled by starter Chris Olivier. The right-hander threw six no-hit innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out eight. Over his last four starts, Olivier has been formidable, posting a 1.69 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 26.2 innings, including a complete-game shutout of McNeese State on March 14.

Designated hitter Beau Durbin powered the offense Saturday, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Reliever Travis Lutz sealed the win with three perfect innings and six strikeouts.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi aims to rebound and secure the series win at home. In Saturday’s loss, starter Luke Singleton struck out seven over 4.2 innings but took the decision. The Islanders’ bullpen has been taxed recently, with Singleton making his second appearance in three days. First baseman Jackson Smith provided a key two-RBI single in the loss.

The Islanders’ offense, which produced six runs on Friday, was stifled by Olivier and Lutz on Saturday, managing just three hits.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the series finale projects to be another tight contest, with a predicted final score of Lamar 4, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3.

Following Sunday’s game, Lamar will host Tarleton State on Tuesday before a conference series against Incarnate Word next weekend. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi travels to face Texas-San Antonio on Tuesday before a Southland road series at Texas-Rio Grande Valley.