CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 10-4, Friday at Chapman Field in the Southland Conference opener for both schools.
 
Southeastern (13-9, 1-0 SLC) won three of the five games it played last season against A&M-Corpus Christi (11-12, 0-1 SLC).
 
Southeastern took an early lead with three runs in the second inning. A one-out single by Connor Manola and a series of two-out errors by Islander starting pitcher Hayden Thomas put a pair of runners in scoring position. Dane Watts beat out an infield single, allowing a pair of runs to score. An errant pickoff attempt by Thomas put Watts in scoring position. He came home on Rhett Rosevear's RBI single.
 
The Islanders scratched across a run in the fourth of SLU starting pitcher Brennan Stuprich, but the Lions responded with four runs in the fifth.
 
Watts led off the inning with his second hit of the game. He advanced to second on another errant pickoff attempt by Thomas and to third on a fielder's choice. Tyler Finke brought Watts home with a sacrifice fly to center field. Shea Thomas chased Hayden Thomas from the game, depositing the baseball on the berm in left field for his third home run of the season.
 
Reliever Kyle Dickey walked Champ Artigues, the first batter he faced. After Artigues stole second base, Manola drove him in with an RBI double to left-center field.
 
In the bottom half of the inning, the Islander plated a pair thanks to a two-out hit batter and three consecutive hits.
 
Hunter O'Toole and Jackson Rodriguez combined to shut down the Islander offense over the final four innings as Southeastern added a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth.
 
Stuprich (2-2) earned the win, allowing three runs in five innings pitched. He surrendered seven hits and two walks, striking out three. Thomas (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing six runs – three earned – in 4.2 innings of work.
 
Manola (2-for-4) and Watts (2-for-4) turned in multiple hits for the Lions. Artigues, Clay Cook, Manola and Watts all scored a pair of runs each. Watts and Thomas both drove in a pair of runs.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues at 2 p.m. Saturday. Junior right-hander Will Kinzeler (4-0, 2.15) draws the starting assignment for the Lions while A&M-Corpus Christi will counter with right-hander Colin Purcell (2-0, 2.81).
 
Saturday's game will be carried on ESPN+. Live stats will be available online at www.LionSports.net and in the Lions Gameday Experience app. Fans can also receive in-game updates on Twitter by following the @LionUpBaseball account.
 
RADIO SHOW
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. Fans can listen to every show online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via both the Lions Gameday Experience or TuneIn apps. The TuneIn app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most newer automobiles. 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.