LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team dropped its series finale, 8-4, to McNeese in Southland Conference action Sunday at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
Southeastern (17-23, 7-8 SLC) falls two games back of conference-leading McNeese (23-17, 9-6 SLC) and Nicholls (22-15, 9-6 SLC) with three series remaining on the conference schedule.
 
The Lions struck first, as they did during all three games in the series. Bryce Grizzaffi blasted his second home run of the season with one out in the third inning. The solo shot put SLU up, 1-0.
 
Starting pitcher Andrew Landry cruised through the first three innings before the Cowboys got to him for four runs in the fourth. Two of the runs were unearned.
 
The teams traded solo home runs leading off their respective halves of the sixth inning. Tyler Finke's homer was his sixth of the season and third of the week.
 
SLU bounced back with a pair of runs in the seventh, clawing back within a run. Tristan Welch led off the inning with a double inside the third-base bag. Christian Garcia drew a walk, putting a pair on. Grizzaffi sacrificed both runners into scoring position and Keller followed with a two-run single to center field.
 
The momentum did not last long as the Cowboys struck for three runs in the bottom of the inning off reliever Noah Smith.
 
McNeese reliever Brett Payne (3-0) earned the win, working two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and two walks, striking out two. Landry (2-4) suffered the loss. The sophomore right-hander allowed four runs – two earned – in a career-high 3.1 innings pitched.
 
Finke (2-for-4) and Grizzaffi (2-for-3) turned in multi-hit performances for the Lions.
 
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.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern returns home to Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, hosting No. 5-ranked Southern Miss in a Cane's Challenge game Tuesday at 6 p.m. When the Lions score four or more runs in the designated game, fans can bring their ticket or student coupon to any participating Raising Cane's location for a buy-one, get-one free offer.
 
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 for 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. 
 
PARKING CONSTRUCTION
The university is slated to repave a portion of the baseball parking lot, from April 13-29, affecting home games against New Orleans (April 14-16), South Alabama (April 19) and Southern Miss (April 26). Additional parking will be available in the parking garage and in the lot north of the garage.
 
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.
 
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 by 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.