LAKE CHARLES, La. – Currently sitting one-half game out of first place in the Southland Conference standings, Southeastern Louisiana travels to defending conference champion McNeese this weekend for a three-game series at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
First pitch between Southeastern (19-9, 7-2 Southland) and the Cowboys (9-15, 6-3 Southland) is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday. The remaining games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through either the Radio FX or TuneIn apps. Fans can also keep up with all the action through streaming video, live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Southeastern junior right-hander Corey Gaconi (1-1, 6.04) opposes Cowboy junior right-hander Grant Anderson (2-2, 3.33) Thursday at 6 p.m. in the series opener.

Friday at 6 p.m., the Lions will send senior right-hander Josh Green (4-1, 3.53) to the mound opposite McNeese junior southpaw Bryan King (1-1, 5.24).

Redshirt junior right-hander Carlisle Koestler (4-0, 1.16), the Southland's ERA leader, gets the starting nod at 3 p.m. Saturday in the series finale versus Cowboy senior righty Tyler Wesley (1-1, 4.07).
 
Cody Grosse (.327), Mike Taylor (.325) and Drew Avans (.323) pace Southeastern's offensive attack. Avans leads the team with four home runs and a conference-leading 25 RBI. Both Avans and Grosse sit atop the Southland Conference with 13 stolen bases.
 
The Lions are hitting .259 collectively, with 43 doubles, seven triples and 16 home runs. Their 74 stolen bases lead the nation. Southeastern's pitching staff has compiled a 3.52 ERA. They have struck out 215 batters through 250.2 innings of work and issued the third-fewest walks per game (2.55) in the nation. Opponents are hitting .235 off Lion pitching.
 
After taking 2-of-3 against HBU in a conference series this past weekend, Southeastern defeated Tulane for the sixth straight game Tuesday, 9-3. McNeese has dropped four of its last five games, including a pair to Nicholls this past weekend in Southland action.
 
Reid Bourque (.298), Shane Selman (.297) and Jacob Stracner (.278) are the top hitters among the Cowboys' regular starters. In limited playing time, Andrew Bryan has produced a team-leading .357 batting average.
 
Selman leads the conference with six home runs and his 17 RBI is a team high. Bourque and Stracner have stolen five bases apiece to lead the team.
 
McNeese is hitting .236 as a team, with 28 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs and 24 stolen bases. The Cowboy pitching staff has combined for a 5.22 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .259 off McNeese pitching this season.
 
Southeastern returns home Tuesday to kick off a five-game homestand, hosting Alcorn State at 6 p.m. in a Cane's Challenge contest. The Lions will also Light the Pat Up Blue for autism awareness and sign posters after the game.
 
TICKETS
Single game tickets for Lion home games can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466. 
 
General Admission tickets 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, campus organizations and fans can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
 
DIAMOND CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join Diamond Club. All membership fees and donations to the Diamond Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program.
 
Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 

Southeastern Louisiana Lions (19-9, 7-2 Southland) at McNeese Cowboys (9-15, 6-3 Southland)

DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday, March 29 – 6 p.m. (CT)
SLU – Junior RHP Corey Gaconi (1-1, 6.04) vs.
MCN – Junior RHP Grant Anderson (2-2, 3.33)
 
Friday, March 30 – 6 p.m. (CT)
SLU – Senior RHP Josh Green (4-1, 3.53) vs.
MCN – Junior LHP Bryan King (1-1, 5.24)
 
Saturday, March 31 – 3 p.m. (CT)
SLU – Junior RHP Carlisle Koestler (4-1, 2.36) vs.
MCN – Senior RHP Tyler Wesley (1-1, 4.07)
 
STADIUM
Joe Miller Ballpark (Lake Charles, Louisiana)

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
• Radio FX app, TuneIn app