Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State rallied for two runs in the ninth inning Friday to defeat Southeastern Louisiana, 2-1, in Southland Conference play at Don Sanders Stadium.

The Bearkat rally spoiled a gem of a pitching performance by Andro Cutura (7-2), who had allowed just three hits entering the final inning.

Southeastern (27-15, 12-7 Southland) scored its run in the second. Brett Hofman, Kennon Menard and Daniel Midyett produced three-consecutive singles to open the inning. Hoffman scored from third on Kyle Cedotal's sacrifice fly to right field.

Cutura was dominant early, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and 21-of-24 after seven, but Bearkat starter Tyler Eppler continued to hold the Lions' offense at bay.

Sam Houston (28-14, 11-8 Southland) finally got to Cutura in the ninth. Catcher Anthony Azar led off the inning with a double off the glove of shortstop Kennon Menard. Pinch runner Wyatt Powell scored on Carter Burgess' one out single up the middle, tying the game and forcing the Lions to the bullpen.

Mason Klotz uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Burgess to move into scoring position, but fanned Corey Toups for the second out. Second baseman Shea Pierce followed with a hit to right, driving in Burgess for the winning run.

Cutura (7-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on five hits. The right-hander walked two and fanned five in 8.1 innings pitched. The two runs in the ninth were the first earned runs the junior had allowed in his last 34.2 innings of work. Eppler (5-5) earned the win, tossing his second complete game of the season.

Saturday at 4 p.m., the Lions will send sophomore right-hander Tate Scioneaux (6-3, 2.97) to the mound against Bearkat righty Jason Simms (3-2, 3.27).

The game 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 the contest through live statistics or by following SLUathletics on Twitter. Streaming video is available on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream. Links for audio, stats and video are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

Sam Houston State 2, Southeastern La. 1 (Apr 25, 2014 at Hunstville, Texas)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern La........ 010 000 000 - 1 8 0 (27-15, 12-7)
Sam Houston State... 000 000 002 - 2 6 1 (28-14, 11-8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Southeastern La. - Cutura, Andro; Klotz, Mason (9) and Fisher, Jameson. Sam Houston State - Eppler, Tyler and Azar, Anthony.

Win-Eppler, Tyler (5-5) Loss- Cutura, Andro (7-2) T-2:16 A-826
Weather: 83 degrees, clear