SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana dropped the Southland Conference series finale to Incarnate Word, 5-3, Sunday at Sullivan Field as a late comeback attempt fell short.
 
The Lions (12-8, 5-3 Southland) once again fell behind early, as they did through the series, before battling back to take the lead.
 
UIW (8-5, 5-3 Southland) took advantage of an errant pickoff throw in the second inning, setting up an RBI groundout for the early lead.
 
Southeastern tied the game in the top of the third and took the lead in the fourth. Nick Ray ripped a one-out double into left field, advancing to third on an errant pickoff throw. He scored the tying run on Evan Keller's RBI single to left-center field.
 
With one out in the fourth, Preston Faulkner was hit by a pitch. Gaby Cruz followed with a single through the left side and then Christian Garcia drew a walk to load the bases. Faulkner scored the go-ahead run on Champ Artigues' sacrifice fly to left.
 
A hit batter in the sixth set up a two-out RBI double by UIW to tie the score, 2-2, but the Lions immediately answered in the top of the seventh. Tyler Finke led off the inning with a triple to right, scoring on Keller's RBI single to center field.
 
Three-straight doubles by UIW to open the eighth spoiled a career-long outing by starting pitcher Brennan Stuprich, giving the Cardinals a 4-3 lead. They tacked on one more in the inning for insurance.
 
Reliever Steve Hayward (1-3) earned the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Michael Garza earned his second save of the season, stranding a pair of runners while working a scoreless ninth.
 
Stuprich (1-1) allowed five runs – four earned – in seven innings of work. The freshman from Kenner, Louisiana was saddled with the loss after scattering seven hits, one walk and hit a pair of batters, striking out five.
 
Keller (3-for-5) turned in his sixth multi-hit performance of the past two weeks, extending his hitting streak to eight games.
 
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 wraps up a nine-game road trip this coming weekend, traveling to Beaumont, Texas to take on Lamar in a four-game series. Game times are schedule for 6 p.m. Friday, a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Saturday and a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
The first game of Saturday's doubleheader is slated to be a seven-inning contest. If the first game of the doubleheader goes extra innings, the second game would then become a seven-inning affair.
 
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.
 
MOBILE TICKETING
Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary method for securing tickets during the 2020-21 school year. Tickets will be available via text message or email in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet. 
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.
 
SOCIAL DISTANCING ON GAMEDAYS
Proper social distancing techniques are required at all athletic events. Fans are asked to maintain a minimum distance of six feet from others, wear a face covering over both their nose and mouth, and wash their hands frequently. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout Southeastern's athletic facilities.
 
While tailgating is currently prohibited, current health and safety guidelines set forth by state and local officials due to the COVID-19 pandemic allow for 25 percent capacity at athletic events. Capacity will be adjusted as state guidelines allow.
 
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.