HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana returns to Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field Thursday at 6 p.m. for the opener of a three-game conference series against in-state rival Northwestern State.
 
The remaining games in the Southland series are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.
 
Thursday's series opener is a Cane's Challenge game. If the Lions score four or more runs, fans will be able to redeem their game ticket or student coupon at their local participating Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers for a free combo with the purchase of another of equal or greater value by the end of business on Friday. On Friday, fans will be able to enjoy "Fireworks at the Pat".
 
Friday's game between Southeastern (20-12, 8-7 Southland) and Northwestern State (10-21, 3-9 Southland) will be televised live on Cox Sports Television (Charter 324 / 815 HD, Channel Finder). Outside CST's coverage area only, the game is available on ESPN3, WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. ESPN3 is also available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Sling TV, Chromecast and Roku.
 
All three games in the conference series 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 game through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.
 
Streaming video of the other games in the series will be available on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream.
 
The Lions snapped a six-game road skid Sunday in an 8-5 win at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Southeastern head coach Matt Riser will serve a three-game suspension during the Northwestern State series stemming from his ejection in Sunday's win against the Islanders.
 
Taylor Schwaner (.388), Drew Avans (.289), Carson Crites (.288) and Derrick Mount (.280) lead Southeastern at the plate. Schwaner is the conference leader with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs. His RBI total also ranks seventh nationally. Mount is third nationally with seven sacrifice flies. Avans has a team-high 14 stolen bases.
 
The Lions are hitting .244 as a team, with 45 doubles, 13 triples, 27 home runs and 58 stolen bases. Southeastern's pitching staff enters the series with a 4.07 ERA, having fanned 241 batters through 285.1 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .252 off Lion pitching.
 
Thursday at 6 p.m., the Lions will send junior right-hander Mac Sceroler (5-1, 3.20) to the mound opposite Northwestern State sophomore right-hander Nathan Jones (3-5, 5.55).

Sophomore right-hander Corey Gaconi (2-3, 3.13) gets the starting nod at 6 p.m. Friday versus Demon senior righty Evan Tidwell (1-4, 6.55).
 
Northwestern State is slated to start sophomore right-hander Austin Reich (1-1, 6.75) in the series finale against Lion sophomore righty Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 5.45) Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
David Fry (.277), Cade Jones (.254), Spencer Goodwin (.250) and Tyler Smith (.250) lead the Demons at the plate. Fry paces the ballclub with eight home runs and 27 RBIs. Goodwin has swiped a team high four bags.
 
Northwestern State is hitting .216 as a team, with 52 doubles, 6 triples, 20 home runs and seven stolen bases. The Demons' pitching staff enters the series with a 6.76 ERA, having fanned 172 batters in 271.2 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .304 off Northwestern State pitching.
 
The Demons were swept in a three-game Southland series at Stephen F. Austin this past weekend.
 
General Admission tickets for single home games are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Tax is included in the price of admission. Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card.

Students and campus organizations can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.

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.
 
Southeastern returns to the road Wednesday at 6 p.m., wrapping up its three-game series with UL Lafayette at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
 

Southeastern Louisiana Lions (20-12, 8-7 Southland) vs. Northwestern State Demons (10-21, 3-9 Southland)

DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday, April 13 – 6 p.m. (CT)
NWST – Sophomore RHP Nathan Jones (3-5, 5.55) vs.
SLU – Junior RHP Mac Sceroler (5-1, 3.20)
 
Friday, April 14 – 6 p.m. (CT)
NWST – Senior RHP Evan Tidwell (1-4, 6.55) vs.
SLU – Sophomore RHP Corey Gaconi (2-3, 3.13)
 
Saturday, April 15 – 1 p.m. (CT)
NWST – Sophomore RHP Austin Reich (1-1, 6.75) vs.
SLU – Sophomore RHP Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 5.45)

STADIUM
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)

TELEVISION
• Cox Sports TV (Friday game only)
• ESPN3 (outside of CST coverage area only)

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