CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana returns to Southland Conference action this weekend at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, facing the Islanders in a key three-game series. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Chapman Field.
 
The Lions (22-19, 12-6 Southland) enter the series needing two wins to pull even with first-place Sam Houston State (22-16, 14-7 Southland) in the conference standings. A sweep of A&M-Corpus Christi (26-18, 11-10 Southland) would push Southeastern past the Bearkats into sole possession of first place.
 
All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network, KSLU 90.9 FM, online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via both the Lions Gameday Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
A free video stream for each game of the series is available through the Southland Conference Digital Network. In addition to a web broadcast, fans may use the Southland Conference app to watch Wednesday's game on their favorite mobile, tablet or smart TV device. The Southland's app is available from both the Apple Store and Android Market, in addition to versions for Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Roku.
 
Fans can also keep up with all the action through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Web links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
The Lions, who picked up a pair of Southland victories against Nicholls this past weekend, are coming off a 10-3 nonconference win at Tulane.
 
Southeastern is hitting .257 collectively, with 57 doubles, 12 triples, 32 home runs and 74 stolen bases. The Lion pitching staff has worked to a combined 4.46 ERA, striking out 352 batters in 361 innings. Opponents are hitting .247 off Southeastern pitching.
 
Preston Faulkner (.301), the reigning Southland Conference Hitter of the Week, along with Cody Grosse (.298), Trey Harrington (.296) and Kyle Schimpf (.287) key Southeastern's approach at the plate. Schimpf leads the team with seven home runs and 41 RBIs. Grosse tops the Southland with 23 stolen bases.
 
Corey Gaconi (5-2, 2.20), a senior right-hander from Metairie, Louisiana, draws the starting nod for the Lions in the opener, opposing A&M-Corpus Christi sophomore left-hander John Gaddis (3-2, 1.93).
 
Saturday, Southeastern senior right-hander Mason Knopp (5-1, 3.07) will oppose Islander sophomore right-hander Leo Perez (1-2, 5.36) in the middle game of the series.
 
Sunday, the Lions will counter A&M-Corpus Christi junior right-hander Dustin Lacaze (3-3, 3.73) in the series finale with sophomore righty Will Warren (2-5, 6.80).
 
Enrique Sanchez, Jr. (.381), Itchy Burts (.371) and Nick Anderson (.321) are the Islanders top hitters. Justin Taylor and Mike Williams are tied for the team lead with three home runs apiece. Sanchez also leads the squad with 36 RBIs and seven stolen bases.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi is hitting .309 collectively, with 83 doubles, 16 triples, 14 home runs and 42 stolen bases. The Islander pitching staff has worked to a combined 5.40 ERA, striking out 349 batters in 383 innings. Opponents are hitting .274 off A&M-Corpus Christi pitching.
 
Having dropped six of their last eight, the Islanders are coming off an 8-2 nonconference win Wednesday at home against Texas Southern.
 
Wrapping up a five-game road trip this weekend, Southeastern returns home Wednesday to host McNeese in another nonconference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern faculty and staff are eligible to receive two (2) complimentary tickets for the May 1 game against McNeese. University employees are encouraged to pick up their tickets (University ID card required) from the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office during the week to avoid long lines on game day.
 
The game is also a Cane's Challenge contest. If the Lions score five or more runs versus the Cowboys, fans will be able to redeem their game ticket or student coupon at their local participating Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers to receive a free combo with the purchase of another of equal or greater value.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. The ticket booth at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens exactly one hour before first pitch.

General Admission tickets for Lion home games are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 fall semester. The policy mirrors safety precautions taken upon entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.
 
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.