HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana defeated Sam Houston, 3-1, Sunday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, sweeping the four-game Southland Conference series and extending its winning streak to eight games.
 
For the third time in the series, head coach Matt Riser handed the starting assignment to a freshman pitcher and Brennan Stuprich (1-0) did not disappoint. The right-hander from Kenner, Louisiana scattered two hits over 5.1 innings of work, allowing one run to earn his first collegiate victory.
 
Sam Houston's only run was a Colton Cowser home run. The solo shot to right-center field, his second of the series, came with two outs in the third inning and gave the Bearkats (3-10, 0-4 Southland) the lead.
 
The Lions clawed back with a pair of solo home runs.
 
Evan Keller launched his first homer as a Lion leading off the fourth, tying the game. Christian Garcia, a freshman from Slidell, Louisiana, gave Southeastern the lead with the first home run of his career, leading off the fifth.
 
Stuprich ran into a bit of trouble in the sixth. Cowser bunted for a base hit to open up the inning and advanced to second base on an errant pickoff throw by Stuprich. After picking up a flyout, Stuprich walked Bearkat left fielder Jack Rogers on four pitches.
 
Riser went to closer Cole Hoskins to work out of the jam. Following a stolen base that put the potential tying run in scoring position, Hoskins retired the next two hitters with a strikeout and flyout.
 
The Lions picked up an insurance run in the seventh as Hoskins cruised through the next two innings. In the ninth, Sam Houston threatened but the senior from Anaheim, California stranded three runners as the final out was recorded.
 
Hoskins earned his first save as a Lion, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed three hits and walked one, striking out four batters.
 
Keller (2-for-3) and Nick Ray (2-for-3), who's RBI single plated the Lion's third run, turned in multihit performances.
 
With the win Sunday, Riser (244-148) ties Tony Robichaux for 12th place on the Southland's all-time coaching victories list.
 
RADIO SHOW
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser, presented by Blackened Brew, will be broadcast Monday at 12 p.m. from the restaurant in downtown Hammond. Fans can listen to every show on KSLU 90.9 FM, online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via either the Lions Gameday Experience or TuneIn Radio apps. The one-hour show airs every Monday during the baseball season.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern embarks on a nine-game road trip beginning with Tuesday's game at No. 15-ranked LSU. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+ and the Southeastern Sports Radio Network.
 
The road trip includes four games in San Antonio, Texas, March 19-21, against Incarnate Word and four games in Beaumont, Texas, March 26-28, against Lamar.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The 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 or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
 
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.