HAMMOND, La. – Memphis pounded out 15 hits Sunday on the way to an 8-2 win over the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
The Tigers (11-9) claimed the non-conference series, winning both the opener and the finale against Southeastern (12-8).
 
For the first time in the series, Memphis struck first. Breaking through in the fourth inning of a pitchers' duel, a two-out single to right field off SLU starting pitcher Andrew Landry plated a pair of runs for the lead.
 
Southeastern responded in the bottom of the inning. Tyler Finke pulled a one-out double inside the third-base bag. Jake Killingsworth drove him in with an RBI single to right.
 
The game remained tight until the seventh when the Tigers picked up a pair of unearned runs off reliever Jackson Rodriguez.
 
Down, 4-1, SLU answered in the bottom of the inning. Shea Thomas led off with a double to center field, advancing to third on a two-out throwing error by Memphis starting pitcher Seth Garner that allowed Clay Cook to reach safely. A pinch-hit single by McGwire Turner, the first hit of his Lion career, plated Thomas.
 
Memphis would not go away quietly, scoring four runs in the eighth inning off reliever Hayden Robb to extended its lead.
 
Tiger reliever Dalton Kendrick retired seven of the eight batters he faced to close out the game, earning his sixth save of the season and second of the series.
 
Garner (1-2) picked up the first win of his collegiate career, allowing two runs – one earned – in 6.2 innings pitched. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. Landry (2-2) was charged with the loss, allowing two runs in six innings of work.  
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern embarks on a five-game road trip this coming week, opening up with UL Lafayette at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Lafayette, Louisiana at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park. The Lions open Southland Conference action Friday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN BASEBALL
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser, presented by Cretin-Townsend Homes, is slated for Monday at 12 p.m. from Cate Street Seafood Station in downtown Hammond. All previous episodes are available online at www.LionSports.net/podcasts.
 
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.
 
LINE SCORE
Memphis 8, Southeastern 2 (Mar 19, 2023 at Hammond, La.)
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Memphis ............. 000 200 240  -  8 15  1      (11-9)
Southeastern ....... 000 100 100  -  2   6  2      (12-8)
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Pitchers: Memphis - Garner, Seth; Kendrick, Dalton (7) and Sutton, Jonah. Southeastern - Landry, Andrew; Rodriguez, Jackson (7); Robb, Hayden (8); Aspholm, Dalton (8) and Manola, Connor.

Win-Garner, Seth (1-2)  Save-Kendrick, Dalton (6)  Loss-Landry, Andrew (2-2)  T-2:25  A-1103
Weather: 49 Partly Cloud, NNW 13 mph