LAKE CHARLES, La. – Kyle Schimpf cleared the bases in the first inning with a grand slam and Southeastern Louisiana never looked back, tying a school record by turning four double plays on the way to defeating McNeese, 9-1, Saturday to claim the Southland Conference series at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
Southeastern (21-10, 9-3 Southland) sits one-and-a-half games back of Sam Houston State in the conference standings, tied for second place with Central Arkansas.
 
Cody Grosse led off the game with a single to right and Bryce Steckler followed with a single through the left side. After McNeese (10-17, 7-5 Southland) starting pitcher Tyler Wesley hit Drew Avans with a pitch to load the bases, Schimpf blasted his fourth home run of the season.
 
Lion starting pitcher Carlisle Koestler was locked in from the first pitch, facing the minimum number of batters through four innings thanks to double plays in the second and third.
 
The Cowboys broke through in the fifth inning with a run, but Southeastern recouped the run in the top of the next inning on a solo homer to right field by Daniel Wasinger. It was his second of the season for the senior catcher from El Paso, Texas.
 
When McNeese threatened to put together a rally in the bottom half of the inning, the Lions turned another double play.
 
Southeastern then added four more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
 
Schimpf narrowly missed his second grand slam of the game, settling instead for a sacrifice fly to right. Mike Taylor backed Schimpf with an RBI single and Wasinger drove in a pair with a single to center.
 
Kade Granier, a senior from Destrehan, Louisiana, worked three scoreless innings to close out the game and pick up his first save of the season. The right-hander benefitted from the Lions fourth double play of the game in the ninth.
 
Koestler (5-1) picked up the win, allowing one run in six innings of work. He scattered five hits and two walks, striking out five batters. Wesley (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing four runs in 2.2 innings.
 
Wasinger (3-for-4), Steckler (2-for-5) and Taylor (2-for-5) led the Lions at the plate. Schimpf drove in five and Wasinger added three RBI. Avans, Grosse and Steckler each scored a pair of runs.
 
Southeastern returns home Tuesday to kick off a five-game homestand, hosting Alcorn State at 6 p.m. in a Cane's Challenge contest. Fans are encouraged to wear blue as the Lions will Light the Pat Up Blue for autism awareness. After the game, the team will sign posters.
 
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
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