Cardinal pitcher Matison Smith (6-1) went the distance, allowing the Bearkats six hits in nine innings as he struck out six of the 33 batters he faced.

Second baseman Braeden Riley picked up Sam Houston's first run in the top of the seventh with an RBI single. Center fielder Greg Olson's solo home run cut the margin to 5-2 in the top of the eighth.

Sam Houston falls to 15-20 for the year and 8-8 in Southland Conference play. Lamar now stands 21-15 for the season and 7-9 in league action. The Bearkats entered the contest tied for sixth with UT-Arlington in the conference standings while Lamar stood eighth.

Mena's triple in the fourth gave the Cardinals' a 2-0 lead. Mena scored on a single by Quentin Luquette. In the next inning, two walks and a single loaded the bases for Lamar. A two-out walk to Anthony Moore gave the Cards another run and Mena completed Lamar's scoring with an RBI single.

Justin Jackson was the losing pitcher for Sam Houston, giving up four hits and five runs in four innings. Paul Spinn pitched in relief.

The second game of the series will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. The three-game set concludes on Sunday afternoon.

The next home games for the Kats will be a Southland series with Nicholls Friday through Sunday April 23-25.

Tickets for Sam Houston State baseball home games are on sale online at www.gobearkats.com.

All Sam Houston students, faculty and staff receive free admission with their SHSU BearkatOne I.D. cards. For $2, students and faculty/staff can upgrade their seats with  reserved chairback seat. Offer is available at the ticket booth the day of the game.

For more information on exciting offers like the "Friday Family Pack Tickets" or "Super Tuesday" Mini-Pack Tickets, go to the ticket link below or contact the Sam Houston State ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.

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Purchase Friday Family Pack Tickets

Purchase "Super Tuesday" Mini-Pack Tickets

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