CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored four runs in the first inning Saturday, and held off a late charge by Southeastern Louisiana, for a 5-4, series-clinching victory at Chapman Field.
Southeastern (19-12, 7-7 Southland) finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth on
Taylor Schwaner's team-leading eighth home run of the season, a two-run blast down the right-field line.
Center fielder
Jacob Seward, a senior from New Orleans, Louisiana, singled to reach ahead of Schwaner's homer. It was the 229th hit of his career, moving him into fourth place on Southeastern's all-time hit list.
A&M-Corpus Christi (13-19, 5-6 Southland) responded with a run of its own in the sixth. With two outs, left fielder Itchy Burts scored from first on a double to right-center by designated hitter Harrison DiNicola.
The Lions bounced right back, scoring a run in the seventh. First baseman
Derrick Mount led off the inning with a single through the right side. He stole second base and advanced to third on an overthrow by the catcher. Mount scored on
Brennan Breaud's sacrifice fly.
Southeastern pulled within a run in the eighth, but left the bases loaded. The Lions went up and down in order in the ninth.
Islander starting pitcher Cole Carter (3-4) earned the win, allowing three runs, two earned, in seven innings pitched. He scattered five hits and one walk, striking out seven batters.
Chris Cooper, the third of three A&M-Corpus Christi pitchers, worked the final 1.1 innings for the save. He struck out three of the four batters he faced.
Corey Gaconi (2-3), the Lions' starting pitcher, suffered the hard-luck loss. He allowed five runs, just three earned, in 7.1 innings of work. He surrendered nine hits and did not issue a walk, fanning three batters.
Schwaner led the Lions at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
A&M-Corpus Christi is slated to start senior right-hander Devin Skapura (1-3, 5.75) in the series finale against Lion sophomore righty
Carlisle Koestler (1-2, 4.80) Sunday at 1 p.m.
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 also keep up with the series finale through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Streaming video will be available courtesy A&M-Corpus Christi.
Links for audio, video and stats can be found on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
A&M-Corpus Christi 5, Southeastern 4 (Apr 08, 2017 at Corpus Christi, TX)
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Southeastern............. 000 002 110 - 4 8 3 (19-12, 7-7 SLC)
A&M-Corpus Christi... 400 001 00X - 5 9 2 (13-19, 5-6 SLC)
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Pitchers: Southeastern - Gaconi, Corey; Avans, Drew (8) and Pace, Evan. A&M-Corpus Christi - Carter, Cole; Worrell, David (8); Cooper, Chris (8) and Balfantz, Scott; Hermanson, Lukas.
Win-Carter, Cole (3-4) Save-Cooper, Chris (3) Loss-Gaconi, Corey (2-3) T-2:25 A-506
HR SLU - Schwaner, Taylor (8).
Weather: Sunny 78, SE 22 mph
