HOUSTON, Texas – Houston Baptist left-hander Christian Thames scattered four hits Saturday on the way to shutting out Southeastern Louisiana, 4-0, in a Southland Conference game at Husky Field.
It is the first time Southeastern (14-8, 5-3 Southland) has been shut out since March 29, 2015, when Nicholls also shut down the Lions, 4-0.
HBU (10-11, 2-3 Southland) right fielder Brandon Brintz pulled a one-out solo home run to right in the bottom of the first inning, providing all the offense Thames (3-1) would need.
The Huskies expanded their lead in the fifth.
First baseman Carey Jones doubled to left-center leading off the inning and scored on shortstop Tyler Depreta-Johnson's one-out, RBI triple into the gap in right-center. Center fielder Zane Otten followed up with an RBI single up the middle to plate Depreta-Johnson.
HBU tacked on an insurance run in the eighth.
Thames walked three and struck out five, tossing his first complete game of the season to earn the win. Southeastern starting pitcher
Corey Gaconi (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs in seven innings of work. The sophomore from New Orleans, Louisiana, allowed six hits and struck out three batters.
Taylor Schwaner (2-for-4) and
Drew Avans (1-for-2) led the Lions at the plate.
HBU is slated to start sophomore right-hander Zach Carter (3-2, 2.59) in Sunday's 2 p.m. series finale against Lion junior righty
Kade Granier (1-2, 5.92).
The game can be heard in the Hammond, Louisiana, area on KSLU 90.9 FM and worldwide online or through the TuneIn Radio app (search for KSLU). Fans can keep up with the series finale through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.
A free video stream is also available, courtesy HBU. Links for audio, video and stats can be found on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Houston Baptist 4, Southeastern 0 (Mar 25, 2017 at Houston, Texas)
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Southeastern......... 000 000 000 - 0 4 2 (14-8, 5-3 SLC)
Houston Baptist..... 100 020 01X - 4 9 0 (10-11, 2-3 SLC)
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Pitchers: Southeastern - Gaconi, Corey; Robinson, Payton (8) and Wasinger, Daniel. Houston Baptist - Thames, Christian and Pulcheon, Jake.
Win-Thames, Christian (3-1) Loss-Gaconi, Corey (2-1) T-2:01 A-430
HR HBU - Brintz, Brandon (1).
Weather: 79 sunny, wind: NW 9
