HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team opens its highly-anticipated 2013 season Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field against Tennesee-Martin.

The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and Southeastern football coach Ron Roberts is slated to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Fans will have a chance Friday and Sunday to enjoy the Raising Cane's Challenge. If the Lions score five or more runs in either game, fans presenting their ticket stub (or student coupon), and purchasing a combo at a participating Raising Cane's, will receive a free combo of equal or lesser value (through the following day).

Friday's and Sunday's games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), on the internet through the Southeastern athletics website as well as on the KSLU iPhone and TuneIn Radio apps. Live stats as well as a live video stream through LionVision will be available for for all three game of the series. Links to audio, stats and video are located on the baseball schedule page at  www.LionSports.net.

With six-straight seasons of 30-plus wins, and the top-two win totals in school history over the last three, the program is poised to take a step to the next level.

“The guys in the past have done a great job of laying the foundation to get the program to where it is now, but make no bones about it, if we're not playing in a regional it's a disappointing year,” Artigues said. “If we're not winning championships it's a disappointing season.

“I hate to put that kind of pressure on us, but I think that is where the program is at. I'm not afraid to challenge them because I'm very confident in this group.”

Southeastern returns 17 letterwinners off the 2012 squad, a 39-21 team that advanced all the way to the championship game of the Southland Conference Tournament before falling to a UT Arlington team that dropped all three regular-season matchups with the Lions.

Headlining the stellar group of returning players is a stable of pitchers led by Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Andro Cutura (6-1, 3.30 earned run average), senior left-hander Jordan Hymel (6-3, 2.65 earned run average) and preseason first-team All-Southland Conference reliever Dylan Hills (9-4, two saves, 1.64 earned run average).

Alex Marse (.256, 20 runs), who enjoyed a torrid final month of the 2012 season, moves back to the infield for his senior season. The Paulina, La., native takes over for the departed Brock Hebert at second and will partner with preseason second-team All-Conference shortstop Ben Hernandez (.280, 16 hit by pitches) up the middle. Hernandez laid down a Southland-record 22 sacrifice bunts last season.

Postseason hero Ladd Rhodes (.250, 22 runs batted in) returns in left field while Harry Slade (.294, 37 runs batted in, 14 stolen bases), the leading-returning hitter, slides over to right field.

Hymel, a second-team Preseason All-Southland selection, will start on the mound for the Lions Friday against UT-Martin right-hander Dan Tobik (3-2, 2.78 in 2012).

Last season, UT-Martin finished 13-41 overall and last in the Ohio Valley Conference (7-20). Grant Glaser (.293, 18 RBIs) is the Skyhawks' top-returning hitter.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday is Academy Family Day and kids will be allowed to join the Lions on the field for the National Anthem. After  Sunday's game, kids will be able to get autographs from the Lions and run the bases.


UT-Martin Skyhawks (13-41) at Southeastern Louisiana Lions (39-21) – 2012 final records

DATES / TIMES
Friday, February 15 – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, February 16 – 2 p.m. CT
Sunday, February 17 – 1 p.m. CT

STADIUM
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (2,500) in Hammond, La.

RADIO
• KSLU, 90.9 FM (Friday and Sunday only)
• Pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to first pitch

INTERNET/SMARTPHONE
• www.LionSports.net – live audio, video and stats
• KSLU iPhone app, TuneIn Radio app

SERIES RECORD
• Southeastern leads 7-2 since 1981
• In Hammond, Southeastern leads 5-1 since 1981
• In the last meeting, Southeastern won 10-3 (Feb. 18, 2007)

PITCHING MATCHUPS (2012 final stats)
Game 1
UTM – Senior RHP Dan Tobik (3-2, 2.78) vs.
SLU – Senior Jordan Hymel (6-3, 2.65)

Game 2
UTM – Sophomore LHP Taylor Cox (0-1, 8.88) vs.
SLU – Junior RHP Sean Kennel (0-1, 9.82)

Game 3
UTM – Senior RHP Alex Boshers (0-6, 8.71) vs.
SLU – Freshman Tate Scioneaux (n/a)