HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team (12-6, 4-2 Southland Conference) returns to SLC action on Friday looking to ride the momentum of a five-game winning streak. The Lions swept three straight from McNeese State March 13-15 before victimizing Tulane on Tuesday and Wednesday for their longest winning streak in two years. However, if the Lions want to make it six-in-a-row, they will have to do so against a highly-competitive Central Arkansas squad (11-7, 4-2 SLC), on the road no less.
“The conference schedule is always competitive,” head coach Jay Artigues said. “Any team can beat you, and they're playing well right now. But, we like the way we're hitting the ball. Our lineup gives us a chance in every game, and our pitching and defense has really started stepping up again. If we play the way we are capable of, then we should be competitive with everyone in the conference.”
The Lion offense continues to lead the way for Southeastern, establishing itself as one of the most potent attacks in the league. Southeastern enters competition Friday leading the league in runs scored (161), second in team batting average (.324 BA) and on base percentage (.419 OBP) and third in hits (208).
Freshman designated hitter Cody Gougler is pacing the Lion attack heading into Friday's opener against the Bears. The Huntsville, Texas native boasts a .442 batting average for the best mark on the squad.
Also on the cusp of a .400 batting average are senior outfielders Brian McCants (.396 BA) and Brandon Street (.394 BA).
Meanwhile, senior infielder Ty Summerlin, who set a new school career hits record on March 13 with his 211th, will look to continue climbing the school's career runs scored list. The Vancleave, Miss. native currently sits in third place with 142 runs scored, three shy of Macky Waguespack's second place total of 145, and seven behind Kenny Langlois' school record total of 149.
However, just as integral to Southeastern's recent success has been a resurgent pitching staff. Over the five-game winning streak, which started on Friday March 13 against McNeese State, the Lion hurlers have reduced the staff ERA from 6.33 to 5.94. An impressive feat, considering the Cowboys and Tulane Green Wave (the two teams the Lions have defeated on their streak) were both hitting above .300 when the teams met.
Junior right hander Ryan Boudreaux (2-1, 4.67 ERA) will look to continue that success for the Lions on Friday night. The Gonzales, La. native will look to follow up a winning seven-hit eight-strikeout performance on March 13 against McNeese State when he takes the hill in game one of the three-game weekend series.
Boudreaux will be followed by sophomore right hander Brandon Efferson (2-1, 6.85 ERA) on Saturday and freshman right hander Josh Janway (3-0, 3.68 ERA) in Sunday's finale.
First pitch for Friday's first game is set for 6 p.m. Live stats and streaming audio play-by-play will be available online at www.LionSports.net, and the game can be heard on the air in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM.
