HOMEWOOD, Ala. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team succumbed to a late rally Friday by Samford in a 10-4 series-opening loss to the Bulldogs at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Southeastern (8-10) wiped out a 3-0 deficit in the seventh, knocking Samford (8-7) starting pitcher Jacob Cravey out of the game with Preston Faulkner's third home run of the season. The two-run blast to left-center field pulled the Lions within a run.
 
Reliever Timmy Watkins walked Tyler Finke before hitting Connor Manola with a pitch. After uncorking a wild pitch, the Bulldogs went to the bullpen again. With runners at second and third, Finke scored the tying run on a Brody Westbrooks' wild pitch.
 
Following a walk to Champ Artigues, Manola scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Christian Garcia to give SLU the lead.
 
With the Lions up, 4-3, Samford rallied for six runs in the bottom of the inning off relievers Daniel Dugas and Gage Trahan.
 
The Bulldogs added a run to their lead in the eighth.
 
Westbrooks (1-0) earned the win, walking two in a scoreless inning of relief. Dugas (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs in one-third of an inning.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. Senior right-hander Hunter O'Toole (1-2, 4.91) draws the Lions' starting assignment opposite Samford sophomore right-hander Michael Ross (1-0, 4.26).
 
Fans in the Hammond area can listen to the game 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, 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 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.
 
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.