HAMMOND, La. – Southland Conference-leading Southeastern Louisiana travels to the University of New Orleans this weekend for an extended version of the sixth annual Pontchartrain Bowl rivalry series.
 
The conference matchup, featuring the Southland's first- and second-place teams, is scheduled for four games at Maestri Field. Friday's first pitch has been pushed up to 2 p.m. due to weather concerns. Saturday's doubleheader is still scheduled for 2 p.m. and a single game is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
Separated by just 60 miles, the series between the Southland's two closest institutions is known as the Pontchartrain Bowl. Sponsored by local alumni of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, the rivalry trophy debuted in 2015. During that stretch, Southeastern has won 11-of-15 against the Privateers during the regular season and claimed the trophy four of the first five times.
 
Southeastern (24-12, 17-7 SLC) enters the series in sole possession of first place in the conference standings, two games up on both the Privateers (20-16, 15-9 SLC) and Sam Houston (19-16, 15-9 SLC). Nicholls (16-19, 11-9 SLC) and Northwestern State (17-17, 11-9 SLC) sit four games back, tied for fourth place.
 
All four games 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.
 
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.
 
The Lions, who swept a four-game series this past weekend at Stephen F. Austin, continue their nine-game road trip.
 
Christian Garcia (.323), Evan Keller (.312) and Jacob Burke (.282) are the Lions' leading hitters. Burke paces the squad in extra-base hits (10 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs), RBIs (29) and stolen bases (17). Preston Faulkner leads the team with five home runs is tied with Burke for most RBIs. Six different players have driven in at least 20 runs this season.
 
Junior right-hander Will Warren (6-1, 2.38) takes the ball Friday for Southeastern against junior righty Haden Erbe (1-2, 4.50).
 
Junior left-hander Trey Shaffer (2-2, 4.91) draws the starting assignment in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. UNO will counter with senior right-hander Chris Turpin (6-1, 5.10). Freshman right-hander Will Kinzeler (4-1, 2.76) heads to the bump for Southeastern in the second half of the doubleheader while the Privateers plan to start sophomore left-hander Brandon Mitchell (2-1, 4.89).
 
While UNO has not named a starting pitcher for  Sunday's series finale, the Lions plan to start freshman right-hander Brennan Stuprich (4-1, 3.00).
 
Kasten Furr (.331), Pearce Howard (.314), Gaige Howard (.304) and Luther Woullard are the Privateers' top hitters. Woullard paces the team in extra-base hits (13 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs) while Howard owns a team-best 32 RBIs. Furr's seven stolen bases are tops on the team.
 
UNO won three of four games this past weekend at Incarnate Word, dropping the series finale.
 
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. 
 
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.
 
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.
 
OPPONENT | LOCATION
Southeastern Louisiana (24-12, 17-7 SLC) at New Orleans (20-16, 15-9 SLC)
Maestri Field (New Orleans, Louisiana)
 
DATES | TIMES | PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, April 23 – 2 p.m. (CT)
SLU – RHP Will Warren (6-1, 2.38) vs.
UNO – RHP Hayden Erbe (1-2, 4.50)
 
Saturday, April 24 – 2 p.m. (CT) DH
SLU – LHP Trey Shaffer (2-2, 4.91) vs.
UNO – RHP Chris Turpin (6-1, 5.10)
 
SLU – RHP Will Kinzeler (4-1, 2.76) vs.
UNO – LHP Brandon Mitchell (2-1, 4.89)
 
Sunday, April 25 – 1 p.m. (CT)
SLU – RHP Brennan Stuprich (4-1, 3.00) vs.
UNO – TBA (0-0, 0.00)
 
RADIO | VIDEO | INTERNET | MOBILE DEVICES
• Radio – KSLU, 90.9 FM
• www.LionSports.net – live audio, stats and video
• Lions Gameday Experience app, TuneIn Radio app