HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana returns to Southland Conference play this weekend with a split, three-game series against rival Nicholls. Games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, while Saturday's 6 p.m. contest will be played at Ray E. Didier Field in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Friday's game is Star Wars Night and fans are encouraged dress in their best costume to enjoy the evening's theme.
Fans are encouraged to "light it blue" for Autism Awareness at Sunday's game. The series finale is also Family Day. A Kids Zone will be out for younger Lion fans, who are also invited to stand with their favorite player during the national anthem and run the bases after the conclusion of the game.
Sunday's game is also a Cane's Challenge contest. If the Lions (20-6, 9-0 Southland) score four runs or more in the designated game, fans can take their game ticket or student coupon to their local Raising Cane's to receive a free combo with the purchase of another of equal or greater value.
The games against Nicholls (11-15, 2-7 Southland) can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, online and through the TuneIn Radio app (search for KSLU). Fans can also keep up with the games through live statistics or by following SLUathletics on Twitter. Streaming video is available Friday and Sunday on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream. Links for audio, video, stats, a gameday promotions schedule and tickets are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern, which has won a school-record 14 straight games, is coming off a pair of blowout victories over Southern and Alcorn State this past week.
The Lions have five everyday players hitting .300 or better, including
Jameson Fisher (.488),
Brennan Breaud (.325),
Daniel Midyett (.315),
Webb Bobo (.306) and
Carson Crites (.304). The national leader in on-base percentage (.598) and ranked second in the nation in batting average, Fisher also leads the squad with eight home runs and 33 RBIs. Southeastern is hitting .300 as a team with 47 doubles, 10 triples, 24 home runs and 51 stolen bases.
Southeastern's pitching staff, which enters the weekend ranked second in the nation in earned run average, has compiled a 2.07 ERA, fanning 246 batters through 230.1 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .211 off Lion pitching.
Senior left-hander
Kyle Cedotal (4-2, 1.15) draws the starting assignment for the Lions in the opener. He will be opposed Friday by senior right-hander Justin Sinibaldi (2-3, 3.00) for the Colonels.
Saturday the Lions will send sophomore right-hander
Mac Sceroler (3-2, 2.32) to the mound opposite Nicholls junior righty Cole Stapler (2-3, 3.20).
Senior southpaw
Domenick Carlini (3-0, 1.24) draws the starting nod for Southeastern in Sunday's finale against Colonel junior left-hander Mike Hanchar (0-3, 5.14).
Nicholls' pitching staff has compiled a 4.60 ERA, fanning 180 batters in 229 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .286 off Colonel pitching.
Gavin Wehby (.321), Dylan Manichia (.315) and Joey Morales (.302) pace the Nicholls offensive attack, which will be without leading hitter Kyle Reese (.403, 22 RBIs). Ethan Valdez has swiped a team-high 10 bases. The Colonels are hitting .277 as a team with 37 doubles, eight triples and 41 stolen bases.
General admission tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12) for all individual Lion home games. Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card. Students and campus organizations can earn points toward their new Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game just by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
Ticket office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Fridays. The box office at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens one hour prior to the scheduled first pitch.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX.
After the series, Southeastern travels to Tulane for a 6:30 p.m. game Tuesday that will be televised by Cox Sports TV and ESPN3.
