Box Score
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Southeastern Louisiana fell behind by six runs in the fifth inning, but came storming back Friday to take a 13-11 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 12 innings.
The Lions (14-5, 2-2 Southland) scored five runs in the sixth inning without a base hit and then added three more in the seventh inning by doubling their total number of hits in the game.
Brock Hebert extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a 4-for-6 night, but the underlying reason for the comeback was a career-high six shutout innings of relief work by sophomore right-hander
Jason Greenleaf (1-0).
With Southeastern trailing 9-8 in the sixth inning, Greenleaf inherited runners on the corners and no outs as he took over on the mound for freshman
Kyle Keller. The two runners eventually scored, but Greenleaf was masterful at holding the Islanders (9-9, 2-2 Southland) at bay.
The Lions added three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 11 apiece and then scored a pair unearned runs in the 12th, earning Greenleaf the victory in the process.
In between, Greenleaf and Islander closer Phillip Garcia (0-1) locked horns in a late-innings pitchers' duel.
Stefan Lopez worked a scoreless 12th inning for his seventh save of the season.
Trailing 9-3 entering the sixth inning, Southeastern clawed back into the game with five runs without the benefit of a hit.
Brett Hoffman and
Ben Hernandez drew leadoff walks, forcing AMCC starter Adam Hoelscher from the game. Reliever Jacob Dorris then walked pinch-hitter
Ryan Downing to load the bases with no outs.
After
Harry Slade struck out, Hebert drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run.
Jonathan Pace was hit by a pitch to force in the second run and the Islanders went back to the bullpen.
Two batters later, after
Cody Gougler reached on an error by the shortstop and
Ladd Rhodes walked, AMCC again changed pitchers.
Jacob Fisher greeted the fourth pitcher of the inning by reaching on a fielder's choice and driving in the fifth run of the inning.
The two teams return to Chapman Field Saturday at 2 p.m for the second game of the Southland Conference series. Junior left-hander
Jordan Hymel (2-1, 2.66) is slated to throw for the Lions against right-hander Tim Keller (0-2, 3.27). The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and live statistics are available, courtesy the Islanders, at www.LionSports.net.
