HAMMOND, La. – Saturday's non-conference game against UAB at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field followed nearly the same script as Friday's series opener, but this time the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team came up on the short end of the score, 6-4.
 
Southeastern (3-3) manufactured a run in the bottom of the first inning, taking an early lead.
 
Evan Keller led off the bottom of the first with a single through the left side. Keller stole second base before Rhett Rosevear was hit by a pitch. Keller advanced to third on a passed ball and later scored after Blazer starting pitcher Tyler O'Clair bounced a pickoff throw past his first baseman.
 
UAB (5-1) answered with a run in the third to tie the game and then added two more in the fifth. Down a pair, SLU rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.
 
Christian Garcia led off the fifth with a solo home run to left-center field. It was the first homer of the season for the junior from Slidell, Louisiana and the sixth of his career. Jake Johnson followed up by drawing a walk to chase O'Clair from the game.
 
After Johnson stole second, Rosevear lined a one-out single to left-center off reliever Thomas Ballard to drive in Johnson with the tying run.
 
In the seventh, UAB flipped the script and scored three off reliever Reid Reynolds to regain the lead. The Lions rallied for a run in the eighth, but ultimately it was not enough.
 
Garcia ripped another pitch leading off the inning. Nearly missing his second home run of the game, he settled for a double. Rosevear came through once again, lacing a two-out single to nearly the same spot he had in the fifth to plate Garcia.
 
In the ninth, Southeastern went up and down in order.
 
Blazer reliever Brady Greene (1-0) earned the win, working 1.2 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Dalton Skinner allowed one run over the final 2.1 innings to earn his first save of the season. Reynolds (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs in two innings of relief work.
 
Garcia (2-for-4) and Rosevear (2-for-3) combined for four of the Lions' five hits.
 
UP NEXT
With the series split at one game apiece, the deciding contest is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN+. Southeastern will start senior right-hander Hunter O'Toole (1-0, 12.60) against Blazer senior right-hander Brooks Walton (1-0, 1.80).
 
The series finale can be heard online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via both the Lions Gameday Experience, Mixlr and MyTuner Radio apps. The MyTuner app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most late model automobiles. Fans should search for SLU Athletics (Mixlr) or Southeastern Sports Radio Network (MyTuner).
 
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 & PARKING INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are on sale for the remainder of the regular season. 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.
 
General admission tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for youth (ages 3-12). Southeastern students, with a university ID, and children under age 2 are admitted free. Gameday parking is $5 per day for standard vehicles and $25 for RVs.
 
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.

Southeastern uses mobile ticketing as the primary method for distributing tickets purchased online. 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.
 
RADIO SHOW
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser, presented by Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden, is slated for Monday at 12 p.m. from the restaurant in downtown Hammond. Fans can listen to every show online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, MyTuner Radio or Mixlr apps. The MyTuner Radio app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most newer automobiles.
 
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.