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HAMMOND – Down 3-0 after the first half inning of play, the Lions scored a pair in the bottom of the half and rallied with a run each in the sixth and seventh innings. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome the Lumberjacks as the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team (32-18, 18-10 Southland Conference) fell to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (22-25, 13-14 SLC) 6-4 in the opener of the Lions' final homestand of the 2009 season on Friday night at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
The Limberjacks struck first with a three-run first off of Lion starter Ryan Boudreaux. The junior right hander allowed four hits, including the first of four homers on the night in the opening stanza.
Southeastern rallied in the home half of the first as senior second baseman Ty Summerlin reached on an error and senior designated hitter Brandon Street drew a one-out walk. Sophomore catcher Josh Cryer followed by doubling home Summerlin and senior left fielder Brian McCants added an RBI groundout to make it 3-2 after one.
Unfortunately, for the Lions, Stephen F. Austin recorded three more runs on solo homers in the third, fourth and seventh innings. Boudreaux allowed just seven hits over his 7.0 innings of work, but the four homers accounted for six SFA runs.
The Lions tried to rally with an RBI single by sophomore second baseman Joe Sparacino in the sixth and a run-scoring triple by Summerlin in the seventh that extended his hitting streak to a season-high 13 games and made it 6-4 after seven.
However, that's as close as the Lions would get as a scoreless eighth was followed by the entrance of SFA closer Richard Folmer. The Lumberjack right hander retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his 12th save of the season.
The Lions will try to even their final home series with SFA on Saturday. First pitch of game two is set for 6:00 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in Hammond.
In honor of Mother's Day, all mothers will be admitted free of charge to Sunday's 1 p.m. series finale. Senior day is also scheduled for Sunday with seniors Chris Cappo, Ryan Collins, Jordan D'Arensbourg, Brian McCants, Robert Rugg, Ty Summerlin and Brandon Street will suit up for the final home game of their careers and will be honored with a pre-game ceremony on the field.
All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM.
