HAMMOND, La. – Sitting in second place in the Southland Conference standings, Southeastern Louisiana looks to keep its string of nine consecutive conference series victories alive this weekend as the Lions host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
First pitch between Southeastern (22-10, 9-3 Southland) and the Islanders (16-14, 2-7 Southland) is slated for 6 p.m. Friday. The remaining games are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
The series finale is another Local Hero Appreciation Day. Every Sunday home game throughout the 2018 season, the Lions give thanks to our first responders, service members and military personnel with a discounted ticket available at the ticket booth (must have a valid service ID).
 
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, stats, promotions and tickets are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Southeastern senior right-hander Josh Green (4-1, 3.46) opposes Islanders sophomore right-hander Dustin Lacaze (2-2, 4.10) Friday at 6 p.m. in the series opener.

Saturday at 2 p.m., the Lions will send redshirt junior right-hander Carlisle Koestler (5-1, 2.33), the Southland's ERA leader, to the mound opposite A&M-Corpus Christi junior righty Aaron Hernandez (1-4, 4.04).

Head coach Matt Riser has not announced who he will send out in the series finale versus Islander senior right-hander Jackson Owens (2-1, 5.18).
 
A&M-Corpus Christi is the last Southland opponent to win a conference series against the Lions, taking the first two games last season by the scores of 3-2 and 5-4. Southeastern rebounded in Sunday's series finale thanks in part to a pair of home runs from 2017 Southland Conference Player of the Year Taylor Schwaner.
 
Southeastern has won 38 of 44 conference series since Riser became head coach, including 21-straight from May 2, 2014 – May 8, 2016.
 
The win in last season's series finale in Corpus Christi, Texas, kicked off a string of 10 straight conference road wins for the Lions that was finally snapped this past Friday at McNeese.
 
Cody Grosse (.331), Mike Taylor (.327), Daniel Wasinger (.313) and Drew Avans (.311) pace Southeastern's offensive attack. Avans and Kyle Schimpf are tied for the team lead with four home runs, while Schimpf's 28 RBI lead the Southland. Avans sit atop the conference with 16 stolen bases.
 
The Lions are hitting .257 collectively, with 49 doubles, seven triples and 20 home runs. Their 85 stolen bases rank second nationally, trailing Fordham by 10. Southeastern's pitching staff has compiled a 3.43 ERA. They have also struck out 254 batters through 285.2 innings of work and issued the fourth-fewest walks per game (2.65) in the nation. Opponents are hitting .235 off Lion pitching.
 
Southeastern took a pair in Lake Charles, Louisiana, this past weekend and defeated Alcorn, 9-1, Tuesday to kick off the current homestand. A&M-Corpus Christi has dropped five straight, including being swept at home in a conference series by New Orleans.
 
Harrison Dinicola (.342), Enrique Sanchez, Jr. (.333) and Owens (.308) are the Islanders' top hitters so far this season. Dinicola also leads the team in doubles (10), homers (5) and RBI (20). Owens has swiped a team-high 10 bags.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi is hitting .273 as a team, with 50 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs and 41 stolen bases. Islander pitchers have combined for a 4.07 ERA and 246 strikeouts in 263.1 innings pitched, while opponents are hitting .256 off their arms.
 
Southeastern wraps up its five-game homestand Tuesday against Jackson State.
 
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 the 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.


Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (16-14, 2-7 SLC) at Southeastern Louisiana Lions (22-10, 9-3 SLC)

DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUP
Friday, April 6 – 6 p.m. (CT)
AMCC – Sophomore RHP Dustin Lacaze (2-2, 4.10) vs.
SLU – Senior RHP Josh Green (4-1, 3.46)
 
Saturday, April 7 – 2 p.m. (CT)
AMCC – Junior RHP Aaron Hernandez (1-4, 4.04) vs.
SLU – Junior RHP Carlisle Koestler (5-1, 2.23)
 
Sunday, April 8 – 1 p.m. (CT)
AMCC – Senior RHP Jackson Owens (2-1, 5.18) vs.
SLU – TBA
 
STADIUM
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, 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
• TuneIn Radio app