HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana struck early Friday, grabbing a 7-2 win over Troy in the series opener at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
After Troy (7-3) took advantage of wildness by Southeastern (5-4) starting pitcher Trey Shaffer to pick up a first-inning run, the Lions answered back in the bottom of the frame with three of their own.
 
Champ Artigues, Jacob Burke, Nick Ray and Christian Garcia rapped out four consecutive hits off Trojan starter Orlando Ortiz (2-1). Artigues dropped a one-out single into left field, advancing to third base on Burke's double. Both runners advanced, Artigues scoring, on Ray's infield single.
 
Burke and Ray pulled off a double steal with Burke scoring from third. After Garcia's single sent Ray to third, the Lions again attempted a double steal. Ray scored from third as Garcia got hung up between first and second.
 
The Lions picked up another run in the fourth and head coach Matt Riser elected for an early call to the bullpen, bringing in freshman right-hander Kyle Bartley (1-1) to begin the fifth. After allowing an unearned run, Bartley settled in for the rest of the game.
 
Southeastern picked up some insurance runs in the fifth as senior third baseman Eli Johnson chased Ortiz from the game with a three-run home run to left. It was the first as a Lion for Johnson and it gave Bartley the momentum needed to close out the game.
 
Bartley earned the win – the first of his career – allowing just the one unearned run in five innings of long relief. He scattered a pair of hits and walked one, striking out three. Ortiz suffered the loss, allowing seven runs – six earned – in 4.1 innings pitched. He surrendered 11 hits and one walk, striking out four batters.
 
Ray led the way at the plate for the Lions, finishing the night 3-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Burke (2-for-4) and Garcia (2-for-3) also picked up multiple hits for Southeastern.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 1 p.m. Right-hander Will Warren (1-0, 0.00), a junior, heads to the bump Saturday for the Lions opposite freshman righty Garrett Gainous (2-0, 0.77).
 
A limited supply of left-field general admission seats remains for the series. Fans may purchase tickets online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets. Southeastern students are encouraged to contact the ticket office prior to the game to reserve theirs in advance.
 
The entire series can be heard in the Hammond area on the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network – KSLU 90.9 FM – in addition to online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via both the Lions Gameday Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
Fans can watch a free video stream of all three games using the Lions' Gameday Experience app for Android or iOS devices, the Southland Conference Digital Network app for smart TV devices (e.g., Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Roku) or online at www.LionSports.net/SSN.
 
Other options to follow the action this weekend include live statistics or the @LionUpBaseball Twitter account. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Baseball single-game tickets, for games during February and March, are currently on sale. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to minimize ticket lines on game days. Due to COVID-related capacity restrictions, single-game tickets are not currently available online.
 
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 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. The ticket booth at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens exactly one hour prior to the scheduled first pitch.

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. 
 
GAMEDAY PARKING
Gameday parking during the 2021 season is $5 per day for Southeastern baseball, while football parking is $25 per day for most vehicles and $85 for RVs.
 
Fans can purchase a season pass ($105), individual reserved ($185) or RV parking spots ($225), good for all baseball and football games, by completing the form at www.LionSports.net/Parking and submitting it to the Lion Athletics Association.
 
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.
 
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.