HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana kicks off the Pontchartrain Bowl series Friday at 6 p.m. against Southland Conference-rival New Orleans, hosting a themed Star Wars Night at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the movie franchise for Friday's game. There will also be several Star Wars-themed promotions and contests throughout the game.
 
Saturday's game is also scheduled for 6 p.m. on the Southeastern campus. The series will shift to UNO's Maestri Field for Sunday's 1 p.m. finale.
 
The series finale can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through the TuneIn Radio app (search for KSLU). There will be no local radio coverage Friday and Saturday's game will also not be broadcast if the Southeastern men's basketball team advances to the championship game of the Southland Conference Tournament. Fans can keep up with all the action through streaming video, live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.
   
Links for audio, video, stats, gameday promotions and tickets are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Southeastern will send senior right-hander Josh Green (2-1, 4.00) to the mound opposite Privateer junior left-hander Bryan Warzek (1-0, 1.47) in the series opener.

Junior righty Carlisle Koestler (2-0, 1.59) gets the starting nod Saturday at 6 p.m. versus UNO sophomore right-hander Reeves Martin (0-1, 3.60).
 
Lion redshirt junior right-hander Kade Granier (1-1, 2.70) draws the start Sunday in the series finale. UNO has not announced a starting pitcher for the game.
 
Southeastern is coming off a back-and-forth, 13-12 win Wednesday at Tulane.
 
Mike Taylor (.356), Cody Grosse (.328), Brennan Breaud (.316), Drew Avans (.310) and Taylor Schwaner (.300) pace Southeastern's offensive attack. Avans and Bryce Steckler are tied for the team lead with two home runs each. Taylor has driven in a team-high 13 runs. Avans ranks eighth nationally with nine stolen bases.
 
As a team, the Lions are hitting .273, with 21 doubles, two triples and nine home runs. Their 48 stolen bases lead the nation. Southeastern's pitching staff has compiled a 3.96 ERA, fanning 115 batters through 125 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .250 off Lion pitching.
 
The Privateers scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, defeating Tulane, 8-7.
 
Darren Willis (.417), Beau Bratton (.341) and Owen Magee (.333) are UNO's top threats at the plate. Cody Ducote and Magee have hit three home runs apiece, leading the team, and Ducote's 14 RBI are tops on the ballclub. Jay Robinson has four of the Privateers five stolen bases.
 
UNO is hitting .243 collectively, with 17 doubles, two triples and nine home runs. Privateer pitching has combined for 5.07 ERA, striking out 137 batters in 119 innings. Opponents are hitting .257 against UNO pitching.
 
Entering its fourth season, Southeastern's chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity sponsors the Pontchartrain Bowl rivalry series and trophy. The Lions won the inaugural series in 2015, sweeping all three games from New Orleans. In the second edition, UNO took 2-of-3 from Southeastern to claim the Pontchartrain Bowl. After sweeping the Privateers again in 2017, the Lions now hold a 7-2 advantage in the rivalry series.
 
Following the Pontchartrain Bowl, Southeastern hosts Purdue at 6 p.m. Tuesday for the annual Pack the Pat promotion.
 
TICKETS
Single game tickets for Lion home games can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern 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 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.
 
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.


New Orleans Privateers (6-7, 0-0 Southland) vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions (9-5, 0-0 Southland)

DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, March 9 – 6 p.m. (CT) – Hammond, Louisiana
UNO – Junior LHP Bryan Warzek (1-0, 1.47) vs.
SLU – Senior RHP Josh Green (2-1, 4.00)
 
Saturday, March 10 – 6 p.m. (CT) – Hammond, Louisiana
UNO – Sophomore RHP Reeves Martin (0-1, 3.60) vs.
SLU – Junior RHP Carlisle Koestler (2-0, 1.59)
 
Sunday, March 11 – 1 p.m. (CT) – New Orleans, Louisiana
SLU – Junior RHP Kade Granier (1-1, 2.70) vs.
UNO – TBA (0-0, 0.00)

STADIUM
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)
Maestri Field (New Orleans, Louisiana)

RADIO
• KSLU, 90.9 FM (Saturday TBD and Sunday games only)
• Pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to first pitch

INTERNET / MOBILE DEVICE
• www.LionSports.net – live audio, stats and video
• TuneIn Radio app (Saturday TBD and Sunday games only)