Box Score Box Score
HAMMOND – The No. 21 Southeastern Louisiana baseball team clinched a third consecutive Southland Conference series win over Central Arkansas with a 5-4 victory Saturday at Alumni Field. The Lions improved to 22-2 overall and 7-1 in league play.
UCA took an early 1-0 in the top of the first, but the Lions immediately countered. After taking a walk,
Justin Boudreaux worked his way around the base paths, stealing second and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. He made his way home on a
Josh Cryer single through the right side.
The visitors scored again in the top of the second to regain the lead, but the home team put two across in the bottom of the frame.
Brock Hebert doubled to bring in
Chris Ernest. Two batters later, Boudreaux singled in Hebert to give the Lions their first lead of the day, 3-2.
Central Arkansas tied the game with one run in the fifth, and proceeded to go back in front by scoring one in the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Lions tied the game in dramatic fashion. With the bases loaded and two men out,
Joe Sparacino came in as a pinch hitter. But instead of Sparacino providing another clutch hit, Cryer made the magic happen, stealing home to put the Lions even with the Bears, 5-5.
Cass Hargis proceeded to register the game-winning run batted in, singling up the middle to score Hebert in the bottom of the eighth. Hebert had reached base on a lead-off double.
Chris Franklin (3-1) started the game at designated hitter and moved to the mound for the final three innings, earning the victory. He allowed one run on one hit, walking three and striking out seven Bears. Reece Cross (0-3) suffered the loss for UCA.
Southeastern can claim a series sweep Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
Jordan Hymel (4-0, 3.04 ERA) will get the start for the Green and Gold. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on
KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
Central Arkansas.... 110 010 100 - 4 11 0 (7-16, 2-6 SLC)
Southeastern La..... 120 000 11X - 5 10 1 (22-2, 7-1 SLC)
Ward; Cross (6) and Pair. Efferson; Franklin (7) and Gough-Fortenberry; Lucas (8).
W – Franklin (3-1). L – Cross (0-3). E – Efferson (2). DP - SLU 1. LOB - UCA 9; SLU 13. 2B - Huchingson 2(2); Washington(6); Dickson (3); Cryer (5); Gough-Forten (1); Hebert 2(8). HR – Getchell (1). HBP – Hargis; Ernest; Hebert. SH - Harris (1); Dickson (1); Gough-Forten (4). SB – Washington (4); Boudreaux (10); Cryer (3). T - 3:09. A – 789.
