BEAUMONT, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana scored four runs in the first inning for the second time in two games, holding on for a 5-3 win Sunday at Vincent-Beck Stadium to complete a sweep of its Southland Conference series at Lamar.
 
The Lions (16-6, 5-1 Southland) are tied with McNeese for second place in the conference standings, one game back of Sam Houston State.
 
Cody Grosse drew a one-out walk from Lamar (4-16, 0-6 Southland) starting pitcher Jason Blanchard. After Taylor Schwaner doubled off the left-field wall, Blanchard issued a walk to Drew Avans to load the bases.
 
Center fielder Bryce Steckler, a junior from Redmond, Washington, cleared the bases with a double to right-center. He advanced to third when the Cardinal right fielder misplayed the ball and then scored on Mike Taylor's groundout to shortstop.
 
Lamar started to chip away at the lead in the second inning.
 
Robin Adames, the Cardinals' first baseman, led off the inning with a double down the right-field line. He advanced to third on a single by designated hitter Chase Kemp and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of center fielder Cole Girouard.
 
In the fourth inning, third baseman Chad Fleischman knocked a two-out, solo home run to straightaway center field.
 
Avans greeted reliever Travis Driskell with a double off the wall in center to open up the sixth. After he advanced to third on a wild pitch, Avans scored on Taylor's groundout to short.
 
Junior right-hander Jared Biddy entered the game in the fifth in relief of starting pitcher Kade Granier. The only blemish on Biddy's extended relief stint was a solo homer by Adames leading off the bottom of the sixth.
 
Biddy (1-0) worked 3.2 innings, allowing the lone hit and run. He walked one, struck out three and earned the win.
 
Freshman left-hander Trey Shaffer struck out a pinch hitter with the potential go-ahead run at the plate to close out the eighth. Will Warren retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
 
Avans (2-for-3) and Trenon Trosclair (2-for-3) led the Lions at the plate. Steckler drove in three and Taylor drove in a pair.
 
The Lions have won nine of their last 10 games and are now 13-2 against Lamar under head coach Matt Riser.
 
Southeastern continues its 6-game road trip Tuesday at South Alabama.
 
MATT RISER SHOW
The second episode of the Matt Riser Show presented by North Oaks Health System airs Monday at 7 p.m. from Buddies' Bar & Grill.
 
Hosted by Allen Waddell, the weekly show can be heard on flagship station KSLU 90.9 FM, in addition to Southeastern Sports Radio Network affiliates Kajun 107.1 FM, the Highway 104.7 FM and WFPR 1400 AM.
 
The show is also available through both the Radio FX and TuneIn apps or online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive. Video of the show will be archived on Southeastern's Facebook page, /SLUathletics.
 
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.