RUSTON, La. – Coming off back-to-back appearances in the Southland Conference Tournament championship game, the Southeastern Louisiana baseball team opens the 2014 season Friday at Louisiana Tech looking to step up to the next level during its first campaign under head coach Matt Riser.

Southeastern (36-24 in 2013) is slated for a three-game series against the Bulldogs (19-37 in 2013) beginning with a 6 p.m. first pitch for Friday's contest at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. Saturday's game is at 3 p.m. and the finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Friday and Sunday's games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, online and either the KSLU or TuneIn Radio smartphone apps. Fans can keep up with all three games in the series through live statistics, courtesy Louisiana Tech, or by following SLUathletics on Twitter. Links for audio and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

Riser inherits a program on the rise. Finishing in the top four each of the past three seasons, the Lions were picked to finish second in the conference preseason polls by both the Southland coaches and SIDs.

Southeastern returns its top hitter from a season ago in Jameson Fisher (.315-3-27), a Freshman All-American, as well as first team preseason All-Southland Conference third baseman Jesse Buratt (.278-0-24). Fisher was selected as the first baseman on the Southland's preseason All-Conference second team.

The Lions hit .263 as team last season with 10 home runs and 64 stolen bases. Southeastern's pitching staff compiled a 4.11 ERA, 21 saves and fanned 399 batters in 525 innings pitched.

Junior right-hander Andro Cutura (1-4, 5.67 in 2013) earns the Opening Night start for the Lions. The former Freshman All-American struggled with injuries his sophomore season, but rebounded over the summer with a strong campaign in the prestigious Cape Cod League. He draws fellow junior righty Phil Maton (6-6, 2.70) for the Bulldogs.

Saturday the Lions will send sophomore right-hander Tate Scioneaux (7-3, 3.72), a member of the Southland's preseason All-Conference second team, to the mound against Tech southpaw Luke Giddens (1-0, 2.51). Junior right-hander Kyle Keller (0-0, 1.38) draws the starting nod for Southeastern in Sunday's series finale against Bulldog right-hander Richie Navari (1-6, 6.52).

After struggling to a last place finish in the Western Athletic Conference last season, the Bulldogs roll into 2014 as the newest member of Conference USA. One week following the series with Southeastern the Bulldogs have an early introduction to C-USA play, hosting Tulane in a three-game conference series.

Senior infielder Taylor Ervine (.271-3-28) is Tech's leading returning hitter, one of nine position players back with starting experience. The Bulldogs hit .246 as a team last season with 16 home runs and 28 stolen bases. The pitching staff compiled a respectable 4.48 ERA.

Southeastern, which has taken two straight from the Bulldogs, leads the all-time series, 21-16.  The Lions last faced Tech, Feb. 18, 1999, in a 5-4 Southeastern win in Hammond, La.

The Lions return home to face preseason No. 3-ranked LSU, Wednesday, at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, opening a five-game homestand that also features games against George Washington and Grambling State.

Season tickets are on sale for the 2014 baseball season. Box seats ($250), reserved chairback ($100), and upper grandstand ($60) options are available. Box seats grant membership in the Lion Athletic Association ($125 level). A family plan ($200), consisting of two adult and two youth general admission tickets, is also available.

For more information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX. Ticket office hours are 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Fridays, and is located in Room 107 of the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics.


Southeastern Louisiana Lions (2013: 36-24) at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (2013: 19-37)

DATES / TIMES
Friday, February 14 – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, February 15 – 3 p.m. CT
Sunday, February 16 – 1 p.m. CT

STADIUM
J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park (Ruston, 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 and stats
• KSLU iPhone app, TuneIn Radio app

SERIES RECORD
• The series is even, 4-4
• In the last meeting, Southeastern won 5-4 (Feb. 18, 1999)

PITCHING MATCHUPS (2013 Records)
Game 1
SLU – Junior RHP Andro Cutura (1-4, 5.67) vs.
UCA – Junior RHP Phil Maton (6-6, 2.70)

Game 2
SLU – Sophomore RHP Tate Scioneaux (7-3, 3.72) vs.
UCA – Senior LHP Luke Giddens (1-0, 2.51)

Game 3
SLU – Junior RHP Kyle Keller (0-0, 1.38) vs.
UCA – Junior RHP Richie Navari (1-6, 6.52)