HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team hosts Sam Houston State Friday in the opening game of a crucial three-game, Southland Conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Southeastern (30-19, 13-8 Southland) enters the weekend tied with Oral Roberts and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, two games behind the first-place Bearkats with six left to play. Oral Roberts hosts McNeese State and A&M-Corpus Christi hosts Lamar in other key conference action.

All general admission tickets to Friday's Sam Houston (31-17, 15-6 Southland) contest are $5 as part of the $5 Fridays promotion. At the concession stand, a select food item will also be available paired with a non-alcoholic beverage for $5.

Friday, the Lions offering a Study Break For Students. There will be free Raising Cane's for Southeastern students, while it lasts, and study packs courtesy Southeastern athletics and the Student Government Association.

After the game, all fans are welcome to stay for a special screening of the movie “The Sandlot”, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.

All three games in the series 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 (subscription required), will be available. Links to audio and stats are located on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net. Mobile links are available at www.LionSports.net/mobile.

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). Baseball-themed bingo is available at Saturday's game.

The Lions won their last Southland Conference series, at Central Arkansas, but have dropped their last two games.

Jameson Fisher (.322), Harry Slade (.315) and Ben Hernandez (.313) lead Southeastern at the plate. Fisher leads the team with 11 doubles while he and Arron Haag have each hit a team-high three home runs. Slade leads the team with 33 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

Southeastern will send sophomore right-hander Andro Cutura (1-2, 4.44) to the hill in the opener against Bearkat junior left-hander Cody Dickson (7-4, 5.13). Saturday, Lion freshman right-hander Tate Scioneaux (6-1, 3.55) draws junior left-hander Caleb Smith (6-4, 3.22) at 2 p.m. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the 1 p.m. Sunday finale.

Kevin Miller (.354), Jeesie Plumlee (.321) and Carter Burgess (.316) lead Sam Houston at the plate. Anthony Azar owns a Bearkat-best 15 doubles while Hayden Simerly has clubbed a team-high eight home runs. Luke Plucheck leads the team with 39 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Sam Houston comes into the series at Southeastern riding a nine-game winning streak, including weekend sweeps of Northwestern State and Nicholls State.

The series finale is Academy Family Sunday in the Park and Senior Day. Seven Lion seniors will be honored for their contributions to the baseball program in a ceremony prior to the game.

Roomie's Kid Zone, sponsored by Academy Sports and Outdoors, will be open down the left-field line featuring a bounce house and other family-friendly activities. Kid's are welcome to join the Lions on the field for the national anthem Sunday and to run the bases after the game. The baseball team will also be signing autographs after Sunday's game.

Southeastern, which has clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament, wraps up the regular season, May 16-18, at McNeese State. The conference tournament is scheduled for May 22-25 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.


Southeastern Louisiana Lions (30-19, 13-8 Southland) at Sam Houston State  (31-17, 15-6 Southland)

DATES / TIMES
Friday, May 10 – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 11 – 2 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 12 – 1 p.m. CT

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

RADIO
• KSLU, 90.9 FM
• 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
• Sam Houston State leads the series 30-28 since 1981
• In the last meeting, Sam Houston State won 8-3 (May 13, 2012)

PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1
SHSU – Junior LHP Cody Dickson (7-4, 5.13) vs.
SLU – Sophomore RHP Andro Cutura (1-2, 4.44)

Game 2
SHSU – Junior LHP Caleb Smith (6-4, 3.22) vs.
SLU – Freshman RHP Tate Scioneaux (6-1, 3.55)

Game 3
SHSU – TBA vs.
SLU – TBA