TROY, Ala. – A pair of home runs propelled Troy to a 5-2 win Friday over Southeastern Louisiana in the opener of a three-game series at Riddle-Pace Field.
 
Southeastern (2-7) took a lead over the Trojans (5-4) in the fifth inning but was unable to hold on.
 
Lion starting pitcher Corey Gaconi (1-1) worked around base runners early in the game as he chalked up nine strikeouts, tying a career best. Troy left a pair of runners on in the first, one each in the second and third and two more in the fourth.
 
Southeastern took advantage of a momentary lapse in control by Trojan starting pitcher Levi Thomas (2-0) in the fifth. The right-hander issued back-to-back walks to outfielders Nick Ray and Trey Shaffer leading off the inning.
 
Third baseman Eli Johnson, a junior from Chehalis, Washington, sacrificed both runners into scoring position and, with two outs, Cody Grosse smashed a bases-clearing triple over the head of the center fielder.
 
The Trojans answered immediately. After back-to-back singles to open the bottom half of the inning, cleanup hitter Sadler Goodwin cranked a three-run home run over the wall in right-center field.
 
Southeastern threatened to tie the game in the sixth. Thomas issued another leadoff walk, putting Preston Faulkner on. Kyle Schimpf, a senior from Covington, Louisiana, chased Thomas from the game, following the walk with a hard single through the right side.
 
Inheriting both runners, reliever Lance Johnson fielded a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Nathan Pilutti and nabbed Faulkner at third. He then struck out Ray and Shaffer to end the inning.
 
As Johnson kept the Lions at bay, Troy padded its lead in the eighth. After a leadoff single off reliever Kade Granier, right fielder Dalton Sinquefield blasted a towering homer to right.
 
Right-hander Corey Gill fanned the side in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
 
Thomas picked up the win, allowing two runs in five innings of work. He scattered five hits and three walks, fanning seven batters. Gaconi suffered the loss, allowing three runs in six innings. He surrendered 10 hits and did not walk a batter.
 
Schimpf (3-for-4) and Grosse (2-for-4) led the Lions at the plate. Grosse extended his hitting streak to nine games with a two-out single in the third.
 
With rain expected throughout the day Sunday, the two teams will now wrap up the series with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
There will be no local radio coverage, but fans can keep up with all the action through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. A free video stream will also be provided through the Troy Athletics Facebook account. Web links to video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Saturday the Lions will send sophomore right-hander Will Warren (0-1, 11.88) to the mound opposite Troy left-hander Grant Stewart (0-1, 67.50) in the first game of the doubleheader. In the nightcap, Southeastern is slated to start redshirt-senior righty Carlisle Koestler (1-0, 3.75). The Trojans have not announced a starting pitcher for the series finale.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The new Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
 
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.
 
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 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter,  @LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.