NATCHITOCHES, La. (Interstat) — Jarret Williams pitched 5 1/3 hitless innings and three Lamar pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Cardinals blanked Northwestern State 8-0 on Saturday afternoon in Southland Conference play.

Williams struck out five and walked none, allowing no hits before being lifted after 5 1/3 innings. Blayne Fritcher followed with 1 2/3 hitless innings and three strikeouts, and Ethan Oceguera closed with two hitless innings and one strikeout. The three pitchers did not allow a runner past second base.

The Cardinals improved to 30-25 overall and evened their conference record. The Demons fell to 26-26.

Lamar scored two runs in the first inning. Tab Tracy walked and Beau Durbin walked, then Evan Sparks was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Avisail Rodriguez walked to force in a run, and Brayden Evans singled to right field for another RBI.

The Cardinals added two more in the second. Grant Wagoner singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a two-run double to left by Durbin, who also drove in Tracy, who had been hit by a pitch.

Lamar stretched the lead to 6-0 in the fourth. After a single by Drew Benton, Sunday pinch ran and moved to second on a groundout. Tracy walked, Durbin was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Sparks hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Sunday and Tracy on a throwing error by left fielder Johnson.

The Cardinals tacked on two runs in the eighth. Tracy singled and Durbin singled, then Valentine singled through the left side to drive in Tracy. After a walk, Evans singled to right for another RBI. The final run came in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Tracy.

Lamar finished with 13 hits. Durbin went 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Evans had two hits and two RBIs. Tracy had two hits and one RBI.

Northwestern State managed only four singles. Logan Trotter pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings in relief. Lucas Harrington allowed four hits and two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.

The game marked the third straight victory for Lamar over Northwestern State this season. The Cardinals took two of three at home in April.

Lamar’s pitching staff has been strong of late. Williams entered the game having thrown one inning in a win over Texas-Rio Grande Valley and one hitless inning against Houston Christian.

Northwestern State, which had lost six of its previous seven games, struggled to mount any offense. The Demons put a runner on third only once, when Leonard and Marsala singled in the sixth, but a groundout and strikeout ended the threat.

The Cardinals return to action later Saturday against Stephen F. Austin.