NACOGDOCHES, Texas (Interstat) — Jarret Williams and three relievers combined on a five-hit shutout for 8 2/3 innings and Tab Tracy drove in four runs as the Lamar Cardinals erupted late for an 11-3 victory over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.

The game, which was played under protest by Lamar following two seventh-inning reviews, was decided by a massive eight-run outburst by the Cardinals in the top of the eighth inning. That explosion broke open what had been a tight pitchers’ duel for the first six frames.

Lamar improved to 9-6 overall, while Stephen F. Austin fell to 9-6.

The story for much of the afternoon was dominant pitching from both starters. Lamar’s Jarret Williams, the top star for the Cardinals, was brilliant, tossing four perfect innings with one strikeout. He has now not allowed a run in his last 10 1/3 innings over three appearances. Stephen F. Austin’s Cody Templeton matched him zero for zero through six strong innings, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out seven.

The Lumberjacks broke through first against Lamar reliever A.J. Kostic in the fifth. Juan Cantua walked and later scored on an infield single by Cooper Schneider, making it 1-0.

Lamar answered immediately and decisively in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on a critical error. With two on and none out, Kevin Duran laid down a bunt that Templeton fielded and threw wildly to first, allowing Jake Wagoner to score the tying run and putting two more runners in scoring position. Templeton was lifted for Nate Vidlak, who issued an intentional walk to load the bases. After two strikeouts, Beau Durbin drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run. Braden Benton followed with a two-run single to center, plating two unearned runs to give Lamar a 4-1 lead.

Stephen F. Austin responded in the bottom of the seventh, again aided by an error. With two on and two out, Schneider hit another infield single. Lamar pitcher A.J. Kostic’s throw to first sailed away, allowing two unearned runs to score and cutting the deficit to 4-3. Nathan Darden entered and recorded a strikeout to end the inning with the bases loaded, but not before Lamar filed a protest over the preceding replay reviews.

Any momentum for the Lumberjacks was obliterated in the top of the eighth as Lamar sent 13 batters to the plate. The Cardinals scored eight runs on six hits, three walks, and two hit batters against four Stephen F. Austin relievers. Tracy delivered the biggest blow, a two-run double to left field. Benton added another RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, finishing with three RBIs. Lane Sparks and AJ Taylor also had run-scoring hits in the inning, which turned a one-run game into a rout.

From there, Lamar’s bullpen slammed the door. After Darden recorded the final out of the seventh, Hayden Stallings pitched two perfect innings, striking out two, to seal the victory.

Tracy led Lamar’s 11-hit attack, going 4 for 5 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Schneider was the lone bright spot for Stephen F. Austin’s offense, collecting three of the team’s five hits and driving in a run.

The most important part of the game was Lamar’s two-out rally in the seventh inning, which transformed a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Templeton’s throwing error on Duran’s bunt was the catalyst, opening the door for the Cardinals. Durbin’s patient, go-ahead walk and Benton’s subsequent two-run single shifted all momentum to the visitors and set the stage for the game-breaking eighth inning.

The teams were scheduled to play the second game of the doubleheader later Friday. The series continues Saturday and Sunday.