HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana split a Southland Conference doubleheader Saturday with Abilene Christian, winning the first game, 8-3, in seven innings and dropping the nightcap, 8-4, at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
ACU (18-12, 10-9 Southland) pitchers combined to issue 22 walks in the two games, including 13 in the nightcap.  
 
In the ever-tightening Southland race, Southeastern (19-12, 12-7 Southland) now finds itself tied with New Orleans (17-14, 12-7 Southland) atop the conference standings and just one-half game in front of third-place McNeese (17-14, 11-7 Southland).
 
The series concludes Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m. The Lions plan to start freshman right-hander Brennan Stuprich (2-1, 4.20) in Sunday's series finale opposite ACU senior right-hander Spencer Chirpich (3-1, 6.15).
 
The game 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. All remaining Lion home baseball games are slated for broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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.
 
GAME ONE – Southeastern 8, Abilene Christian 3
Southeastern scored in every inning except the fifth.
 
Nick Ray and Christian Garcia produced a pair of two-out, RBI singles in the first inning, staking the Lions to a lead they would never relinquish.
 
Bryce Grizzaffi and Evan Keller drew a pair of one-out walks in the second, putting them aboard for Tyler Finke's first home runs as a Lion. The three-run shot put Southeastern up, 5-0.
 
Garcia manufactured a run in the third. He lined a single that was misplayed by the ACU center fielder, winding up at third. He later came home to score on a wild pitch.
 
The Wildcats picked up two runs in the fourth on a pair of solo home runs, but Southeastern got one back in the bottom of the inning on Finke's second homer of the game. The sophomore launched a two-out, solo shot over the scoreboard in left field.
 
Both teams picked up a single run in their final at-bats to finish out the scoring.
 
Trey Shaffer (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs – both earned – in 4.2 innings pitched. He surrendered five hits and three walks, striking out four batters. Daniel Dugas earned his first save of the season, allowing one run over the final 2.1 innings.
 
ACU starter Genner Cervantes (5-1) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs – six earned – in four innings of work.
 
GAME TWO – Abilene Christian 8, Southeastern 4
The Lions built a 4-0 lead over the middle innings as starting pitcher Will Warren dominated the ACU lineup through seven scoreless innings.
 
Southeastern took advantage of control issues by Wildcat starting pitcher Adam Stephenson, scoring a pair of runs in the fourth without the benefit of a hit or an error. Keller and Finke drew a pair of walks to open the inning and then pulled off a double steal. The pair scored on groundouts by Garcia and Ray.
 
The Lions added another run in the fifth without a hit. After Stephenson and reliever Trevor Jackson combined to walk the bases loaded, Garcia was hit by a pitch to force in Gaby Cruz with the run.
 
A hit batter led to another Southeastern run in the sixth.
 
The game unraveled in the top of the eighth as ACU sent 14 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs.
 
Jackson (1-1) earned the win, allowing one run in 2.1 innings of relief work. He surrendered two hits, three walks, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch. The right-hander also struck out three. Noah Hughes (1-3) was saddled with the loss, allowing five runs – four earned – in 0.1 innings pitched.
 
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.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Baseball single-game tickets, for games during April, are currently on sale. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to minimize ticket lines on game days. Southeastern students are encouraged to contact the ticket office prior to the game to reserve theirs in advance.
 
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.
 
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.