HAMMOND – After closing out a successful homestand on Tuesday with a one-run victory over in-state rival Tulane, the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team heads west as it resumes Southland Conference play against Lamar beginning Thursday at Vincent-Beck Stadium in Beaumont, Texas.
First pitch in Thursday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. followed by a 6:30 p.m. contest on Friday. The series finale is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
Fans who have an iPhone or iPod touch can also listen to each game by downloading the free KSLU application to their device.
Southeastern (23-3, 7-2 SLC), which is currently tied with Texas State for the Southland Conference lead, posted a 4-1 record in its latest homestand that began with a 6-5 win over South Alabama on March 24. The Lions took two of three games from Central Arkansas last weekend before claiming their fourth consecutive victory at home over Tulane since the series resumed in 2007.
The Lions broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning against their in-state rival when
Trey Martin hit an infield chopper that scored Brock Hebert from third base.
Ryan Boudreaux pitched eight solid innings to lead Southeastern while
Chris Franklin retired Tulane in order for his sixth save of the year.
The Lions (No. 21 in NCBWA, No. 22 in Collegiate Baseball, No. 23 in USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll) opened league play with a three-game sweep of UTSA before taking two of three games at McNeese State two weeks ago.
Jeff Harkensee, who leads the Southland Conference with 12 doubles, and
Justin Boudreaux each lead Southeastern at the plate with a .347 average. Boudreaux, who is second in the league in RBI (30) and fourth in runs scored (29), paces the Lions with six home runs while Harkensee and
Cody Gougler are next with three.
Cass Hargis (.339-0-23), Gougler (.322-3-22) and Hebert (.321-0-26) are next in hitting for the Lions, who lead the Southland Conference in runs scored (209), on-base percentage (.427), RBI (185), walks (142), hit-by-pitches (57) and stolen bases (46).
On the mound, Southeastern leads the league in ERA (3.27), opposing batting average (.254), saves (12) and fewest runs allowed (105).
Right-hander
Tyler Watkins (3-1, 3.50 ERA) will start in Thursday's opener for the Lions with
Brandon Efferson (5-0, 2.27 ERA) slated to pitch on Friday. Saturday's starter for the Lions has not been announced.
Lamar (15-10, 2-7 SLC) has lost six of its last seven games after opening the season with a 14-4 record. The Cardinals dropped two of three games at Nicholls State and at home against UCA before being swept last weekend at Texas State.
The Cardinals fell to Rice, 7-2, in their last game on Tuesday despite nine hits against the Owls. Quentin Luquette went 3-for-5 with a double against Rice while Wade Mathis and Andy Mena each went 2-for-4.
Aaron Buchanan leads Lamar at the plate with a .344 average. Anthony Moore (.333-3-17) and Mathis (.314-3-14) pace the Cardinals in home runs while Pablo Salinas (.313-1-9), Ted Zentek (.313-1-12) and Luquette (.305-2-17) are next in hitting.
Matison Smith (3-1, 3.64 ERA) is slated to start in Thursday's opener for Lamar with Eric Harrington (3-1, 4.91 ERA) expected to pitch on Friday. Freshman southpaw Jonathan Dziedzic (1-1, 4.54 ERA) will start in Saturday's finale.
Lamar leads the overall series, 29-17, with Southeastern claiming two of three games last season in Hammond. The Lions opened the series with an 11-1 victory and closed out the series with a 10-4 win. Lamar claimed the middle game of the series in a 10-1 decision.
