HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana wraps up the regular this weekend, hosting No. 20-ranked Houston in a pair of non-conference games at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Games between Southeastern (35-19) and the Cougars (32-20) are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. During the series opener, the Lions are preparing to Strikeout ALS with educational information and a fundraiser.   
 
Both games against the Cougars 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 live statistics, streaming video 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.
 
Josh Green (6-4, 3.22), a senior right-hander from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, opposes Cougar junior left-hander Trey Cumbie (5-3, 3.61) in the series opener Thursday at 6 p.m.

Friday at 6 p.m., the Lions will send redshirt junior right-hander Carlisle Koestler (7-1, 2.95), who leads the Southland Conference in wins, to the mound. Houston has not announced a starting pitcher for the finale.
 
Drew Avans (.346), Cody Grosse (.321) and Mike Taylor (.305) pace Southeastern's offensive attack. Avans ranks second in the Southland with 10 home runs and is tied with Kyle Schimpf for the team lead in RBI (42). The Lions have four of the conference's top-seven base stealers in Avans (20), Grosse (18), Evan Pace (16) and Brennan Breaud (15).
 
The Lions are hitting .256 collectively, with 79 doubles, 15 triples and 39 home runs. Their 127 stolen bases rank third nationally and are a program single-season record. Southeastern's pitching staff has compiled a 3.60 ERA and 416 strikeouts through 484.1 innings of work, issuing the third-fewest walks per nine (2.49) in the nation. Opponents are hitting .248 off Lion pitching.
 
Southeastern has won 10 of its last 12 games, taking two of three at Central Arkansas this past weekend and defeating South Alabama, 12-9, Tuesday. The Cougars have won four of their last five, including a 7-2 decision Tuesday over Rice at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
 
Jared Triolo (.357), Joe Davis (.293) and Lael Lockhart (.288) are the Cougars leading hitters. Davis tops the squad with six home runs and 38 RBI. Cooper Coldiron leads three players in double-digit steals, swiping 18 bases this season.
 
Houston is hitting .255 as a team, with 83 doubles, eight triples, 22 home runs and 77 stolen bases. Cougar pitchers have combined for a 3.38 ERA and 433 strikeouts in 468.2 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .229 off Houston pitching.
 
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.
 
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Southeastern will be one of the top two seeds in next week's Southland Conference Baseball Tournament at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
 
The Lions sit in second place, 1.5 games behind Sam Houston State. If Incarnate Word sweeps the Bearkats in their series this weekend, Southeastern will be declared co-champions and receive the No. 1 overall seed.
 
Tickets for the 2018 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament are on sale now at www.southland.org/baseball. They are also available by phone at 281-240-4487, and at the TDECU Ticket Office at Constellation Field.
 
The double-elimination tournament, scheduled for May 23-26 in Sugar Land, Texas, will feature the league's top eight teams and conclude with a winner-take-all championship game May 26 at 6 p.m. The winner of the tournament will receive the Southland's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
 
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (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.
 
Houston Cougars (32-20) at Southeastern Louisiana Lions (35-19)

DATES / TIMES / PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday, May 17 – 6 p.m. (CT)
UH – LHP Trey Cumbie (5-3, 3.61) vs.
SLU – RHP Josh Green (6-4, 3.22)
 
Friday, May 18 – 6 p.m. (CT)
UH – TBA (0-0, 0.00) vs.
SLU – RHP Carlisle Koestler (7-1, 2.95)
 
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