HAMMOND, La. – A pair of five-run innings sparked Southeastern Louisiana to a 13-6 win Saturday over SIU-Edwardsville in the second game of a season-opening series at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (2-0) jumped out in front early, taking advantage once again of walks by SIUE (0-2) pitchers.
 
Cougar starter Brock Fulkerson (0-1) walked Drew Avans and Kyle Schimpf to open up the second inning before junior center fielder Bryce Steckler ripped a triple off the center field wall. Steckler later scored on Mike Taylor's one-out single through the left side.
 
Taylor stole second base, one of nine in the game for the Lions, and first baseman Scottie Sanders followed with another walk. Brennan Breaud, a junior from Norco, Louisiana, drove an RBI single to left field, plating Taylor. After advancing to third, Sanders scored on Cody Grosse's grounder to short.
 
SIUE immediately started chipping away at the lead. Right fielder Jackson Layton led off the third with a solo home run to left.
 
In the fourth, Cougar first baseman Peyton Cordova-Smith ripped a leadoff double to right-center. He advanced to third when a hit batter and walk loaded the bases, scoring on a fielder's choice grounder to third.
 
The Cougars forced Southeastern starting pitcher Corey Gaconi from the game with back-to-back one out singles in the fifth, but junior Jace Nini struck out both batters he faced to end the threat.
 
Four walks issued by Nini in the sixth forced in another run, pulling SIUE within 5-3.
 
The Lions put up another five spot in the sixth, all with two out, to build some breathing room. In the inning, Avans drew his fourth walk of the game to tie a Southeastern single-game record.
 
Two more runs in the seventh pushed the Lions lead to 12-3, but SIUE scored two in the eighth. Southeastern added one more in the bottom of the inning and the Cougars tacked on the game's final run in the ninth.
 
Nini (1-0) earned the win, allowing one run in one inning of work. He walked four, struck out three and did not allow a hit. Fulkerson was saddled with the loss, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings. He surrendered four hits and five walks, striking out six.
Carlisle Koestler, a junior from Vicksburg, Mississippi, worked 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, fanning one. Junior southpaw Payton Robinson and sophomore righty Bryce Tassin each worked an inning in relief for the Lions.
 
Breaud (4-for-4), Taylor (2-for-5) and Daniel Wasinger (3-for-4) led Southeastern at the plate. Sanders drew three walks and scored three runs. Avans stole three bases. Despite a 1-for-5 day at the plate, Grosse drove in three.
 
Cougar pitchers walked nine batters.
 
Southeastern looks to sweep the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The series finale is one of five Sunday home baseball games set aside for Local Hero Appreciation. With a tip of the cap to local first responders, service members and military personnel, a discounted ticket is available at the ticket booth for those presenting a valid ID.
 
SIUE will send out junior right-hander Kenny Serwa, a transfer from St. Joseph's College (Ind.), in Sunday's finale against Lion junior righty Mason Knopp. A transfer, Knopp broke the Neosho County CC wins record previously set by former Lion pitcher Jake Johnson.
 
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 game through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.
 
Streaming video is available through LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream.
 
Links for audio, video, stats, gameday promotions and tickets are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
TICKETS
Single game tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466. 
 
All home games are available except the matchup with No. 9-ranked LSU. Tickets to that game will only be available for purchase by Diamond Club members and current baseball season ticket holders until Feb. 21.

General Admission tickets for Lion 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.

Fans interested in joining the Diamond Club can do so by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel to keep up with the latest on Southeastern baseball.