HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana baseball team clinched its opening weekend series, beating Eastern Illinois Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field by a final score of 11-5. The Lions will go for the sweep Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.

The Lions (2-0) ran into trouble early, allowing four runs in the top of the first inning. With the Panthers (0-2) threatening to add more in the second, head coach Jay Artigues opted to replace starter Stefan Lopez with freshman Jordan Hymel (1-0), who earned a win in his first collegiate appearance. Hymel did masterful work in three and two thirds innings, keeping EIU scoreless, while allowing just two hits and two walks. He also struck out one Panther.

Chris Franklin earned his first save of the season, pitching the final four innings. He allowed one earned run on four hits, struck out five Panthers and allowed one walk. After earning a school record 12 saves last year, Franklin was placed on the pre-season watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.

Cass Hargis led the Lions' offensive attack, going three-of-four, with all three of his hits being doubles. He also had two runs batted in, as did Jeff Harkensee (two-of-three with a double), Josh Cryer and Brock Hebert. Alex Marse was responsible for the remaining RBI.

Southeastern scored in all but two innings, the second and fifth.

Starting pitcher Mike Recchia (0-1) suffered the loss for Eastern Illinois. In three and one third innings of work, he surrendered six earned runs on five hits, with three walks and three strike outs.

Cam Strang (two-of-four with a double and a stolen base) and Shawn Ferguson (two-of-four with two doubles) paced EIU on offense.

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