BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — Cody Templeton tossed six no-hit innings and combined with reliever Reid Bowyer on a two-hit shutout as Stephen F. Austin defeated Lamar 2-0 on Thursday at Vincent–Beck Stadium.

Templeton, a right-hander, struck out five and walked three, facing the minimum 18 batters over his six frames. He allowed only two baserunners, both via walks, and erased one with a caught stealing. Templeton’s performance came on the heels of a rough outing May 8 at Incarnate Word, where he allowed one earned run in two innings, and a strong seven-inning, one-earned-run start May 2 against McNeese State.

Bowyer worked the final three innings, striking out one and allowing no hits or walks to earn his first save of the season.

Stephen F. Austin improved to 27-24 overall, while Lamar dropped to 28-25.

The Lumberjacks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when designated hitter Josh Ibe homered to left-center, his seventh of the season, with one out. Ibe finished 1 for 4.

The score remained 1-0 until the fifth inning, when Stephen F. Austin manufactured an unearned run. Ethan Pena led off with a single through the right side of the infield and advanced to second on a throwing error by Lamar left fielder Karsten Wagoner on a failed pickoff attempt. After a sacrifice bunt by Gavin Schneider moved Pena to third, Bryce Bland singled through the left side, driving in Pena. Bland stole second but was left stranded.

The most critical sequence occurred in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Lamar loaded the bases with one out against Templeton. Wagoner walked, Jack Benton singled to right and Daniel Rodriguez reached on a bunt fielder’s choice that forced Wagoner out at home. With runners on first and second, Case Evans grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and preserve the Lumberjacks’ one-run lead.

Lamar threatened again in the sixth, putting runners on first and second with two outs, but Templeton induced Evans to fly out to left to escape.

Lamar starter Travis Lutz took the hard-luck loss despite a strong outing. Lutz went seven innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and striking out seven. He walked two. Nathan Darden pitched two perfect innings of relief for the Cardinals, striking out two.

Pena led Stephen F. Austin with two hits in four at-bats. Jhett Creel added a double and a walk in three plate appearances. Mark Henning doubled in the sixth. For Lamar, Beau Durbin doubled and stole a base, and Rodriguez singled. Wagoner drew three walks but did not score.

The game was scoreless after the first inning as both pitchers settled in. Lamar’s best early chance came in the first when Durbin doubled with one out and stole third, but Templeton struck out Jordan Taylor and got Ryan Kummer to ground out to end the inning.

Stephen F. Austin’s other threat came in the sixth after Henning doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Lutz struck out Juan Cantua and got Pena to ground out to first.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Lamar 6, Stephen F. Austin 5, and its ELO system had given Lamar a 79.50 percent probability to win.