HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana opens a four-game homestand Friday at 6 p.m. with the opening game of a Southland Conference series against Houston Baptist at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
Originally scheduled as three single games, the Lions (28-13, 15-3 Southland) and HBU (19-20, 9-9 Southland) will now wrap up the series with a Saturday doubleheader slated for 12 p.m. The second game of the doubleheader will begin approximately 45 minutes after the completion of the day's first contest.
All three games against the Huskies 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 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.
Friday will be Superhero Night, with fans encouraged to wear their best superhero attire as the Lions attempt to save Hammond, America, from the invading Huskies. It will also be a Foodie Friday at the ballpark, as the concession stand will offer a special deal.
Saturday's doubleheader will feature a multitude of promotions, including Bingo at the Ballpark, Cancer Awareness, baseball's alumni reunion and Family Day activities.
Bingo at the Ballpark gives fans the opportunity to win cash and prizes courtesy of Southeastern Athletics.
To raise funds for pediatric cancer research, the Diamond Girls will be selling special T-shirts for $15.
As part of Family Day activities, fans ages 12 and under can stand with their favorite Lion during the national anthem and run the bases after the conclusion of the doubleheader.
The annual baseball alumni reunion will also be held Saturday. All Southeastern baseball alumni are welcome to attend without advance notice, but to help with planning please send last-minute RSVPs to
Larry Hymel at (985) 549-3228 or lhymel@southeastern.edu.
Former Lion players will be recognized on the field prior to Saturday's 12 p.m. game against HBU, with special recognition given to members of the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame and those that achieved Major League status in their playing careers.
Southeastern took 2-of-3 last weekend in a conference series at McNeese State and enters Friday tied with Sam Houston State atop the Southland standings.
Four everyday players are hitting .300 or better for the Lions, including
Jameson Fisher (.446),
Brennan Breaud (.318),
Carson Crites (.314) and
Drew Avans (.313). Fisher also leads the squad with nine home runs and 43 RBIs. Southeastern is hitting .286 as a team, with 59 doubles, 13 triples, 34 home runs and 72 stolen bases.
Fisher, the Lions' first baseman, is one of the top offensive threats in the nation, leading college baseball in batting average. The junior from Zachary, Louisiana, ranks second nationally in on-base percentage (.581), seventh in sacrifice flies (6), ninth in slugging percentage (.731) and 11th in walks (40).
Southeastern's pitching staff enters the weekend series with a 2.59 ERA, the fourth-lowest in the nation, and has fanned 338 batters through 358.1 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .222 off Lion pitching.
Left-hander
Kyle Cedotal (4-4, 2.01) draws the starting assignment for the Lions in the opener. The senior from Denham Springs, Louisiana, will be opposed Friday by junior southpaw Christian Thames (2-4, 3.33) for the Huskies.
Saturday the Lions will send sophomore right-hander
Mac Sceroler (6-2, 2.40) to the mound in the opening game of the doubleheader opposite HBU junior righty Addison Russ (6-3, 2.82). Senior lefty
Domenick Carlini (4-1, 1.76) draws the starting nod for Southeastern in Saturday's finale against Huskie freshman right-hander Zach Carter (1-2, 4.74).
HBU's pitching staff has compiled a 4.30 ERA, fanning 229 batters in 345.1 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .296 off Huskie pitching.
Austin Zillweger (.318), Greg Espinosa (.309) and Louie Payetta (.299) lead the HBU offensive attack
Thames leads the squad with three home runs, while Payetta's 22 RBIs are a team high. Zane Otten's nine stolen bases lead the team. The Huskies are hitting .257 collectively, with 61 doubles, 12 triples, nine home runs and 47 stolen bases.
Swept by Lamar in Southland action this past weekend, HBU rebounded Tuesday with a 21-17 win at Prairie View A&M.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX. 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.
A limited number of Right Field Box Seats are available for Friday's game at $15 apiece. General Admission tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12) for Friday's game as well.
Doubleheader General Admission tickets will be sold for Saturday's twin bill, costing $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12). Season ticket holders can use their Saturday ticket for admission to the first game of the doubleheader and their Sunday ticket for admission to the finale.
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 by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
The Lions wrap up their four-game homestand Wednesday at 6 p.m., hosting Jackson State for Study Pack the Pat and Popcorn at the Pat Night. More details are available on the promotions page at www.LionSports.net.
Houston Baptist Huskies (19-20, 9-9 Southland) at Southeastern Louisiana Lions (28-13, 15-3 Southland)
DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUP
Game 1: Friday, April 29 – 6 p.m. (CT)
HBU – Junior LHP Christian Thames (2-4, 3.33) vs.
SLU – Senior LHP
Kyle Cedotal (4-4, 2.01)
Game 2: Saturday, April 30 – 12 p.m. (CT)
HBU – Junior RHP Addison Russ (6-3, 2.82) vs.
SLU – Sophomore RHP
Mac Sceroler (7-2, 2.11)
Game 3: Saturday, April 30 – approximately 45 minutes after completion of Game 2
HBU – Freshman RHP Zach Carter (1-2, 4.74) vs.
SLU – Senior LHP
Domenick Carlini (4-1, 2.07)
STADIUM
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)
RADIO
• KSLU, 90.9 FM
• Pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to first pitch
INTERNET / MOBILE DEVICE
• www.LionSports.net – live audio, stats and video
• TuneIn Radio app
