HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team returns to action on Friday when it opens a three-game Southland Conference series against Sam Houston State at Don Sanders Stadium.
First pitch for Friday's opener is at 6:30 p.m. The series resumes on Saturday at 2 p.m. before concluding Sunday at 1. All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern (28-15, 12-9 SLC) and SHSU (28-15, 12-9 SLC) are two of three teams tied for third in the league standings – three games behind co-leaders Texas State and Stephen F. Austin. The Lions have posted a 16-9 record away from home this season and will look to claim their fifth league series of the season against a SHSU squad that is 18-4 at home.
The three-game series pits two of the top offensive and pitching teams in the league with Southeastern ranking third in the league in team earned run average (3.50) and fifth in hitting (.293). SHSU is second in the league in both categories as it is hitting .298 at the plate while posting a team ERA of 3.42.
Justin Boudreaux leads Southeastern at the plate with a .367 average and is second in both home runs (7) and RBI (38).
Brock Hebert (.348-2-27),
Jonathan Pace (.344-1-31),
Jeff Harkensee (.316-9-46),
Cass Hargis (.301-0-18),
Josh Cryer (.301-2-36) and Huntsville native
Cody Gougler (.278-1-19) are next in hitting for the Lions.
Southeastern will send right-hander
Brandon Efferson (7-2, 3.65 ERA) to the mound on Friday with
Tyler Watkins (7-1, 2.04 ERA) slated to pitch on Saturday. Sunday's starter is to be announced.
SHSU was shut out in two games last week at Nicholls State before posting an 8-5 win over No. 6 Texas A&M on Tuesday. The Bearkats have won their last six games at home that included a non-conference win over Houston and a three-game sweep of Lamar.
Chris Andreas is SHSU's top offensive threat with a .356 average, nine home runs and 44 RBI. Ryan Mooney (.339-1-19), Greg Olson (.314-0-13), Mark Hudson (.311-3-33) and Braeden Riley (.310-0-23) are the Bearkats' other top hitters.
Brandon Kimbrel (5-2, 3.21 ERA) is expected to pitch in Friday's opener before Matt Shelton (6-0, 3.02 ERA) is slated to pitch on Saturday. SHSU is expected to send Caleb Smith (4-1, 2.15 ERA) to the mound in Sunday's finale.
