HAMMOND, La. – UIW pounded out 13 hits Saturday night, defeating the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team, 5-2, in Southland Conference action at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
The series between Southeastern (16-11, 3-2 SLC) and UIW (14-13, 3-2 SLC) is split one game each and both teams are tied for first place in the conference with Lamar and Nicholls, which have split the first two games of their series in Beaumont, Texas.
 
Tyler Finke had a pair of hits, and drove in both runs, as SLU struggled against Cardinal pitching.
 
For the second time in as many games, UIW jumped out in front early. A one-out walk and back-to-back hits helped lead to a 2-0 lead.
 
Southeastern cut into the deficit almost immediately. Cardinal starting pitcher Isaiah Zavala hit Rhett Rosevear with a pitch and Finke followed with an RBI double down the left-field line. Unlike the series opener, that was all the Lions picked up in the first.
 
UIW came right back with four hits in the second to take the two-run advantage back.
 
The Lions scratched across a run in the fifth, pulling within one. With one out, Zavala issued back-to-back walks to Clay Cook and Rosevear. Finke followed with an RBI single to left.
 
UIW once again responded, scoring two runs in the sixth off reliever Hunter O'Toole and taking a 5-2 lead.
 
Southeastern put runners on in each of the final four innings, but could not muster any additional offense.
 
Zavala (4-0) earned the win, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings pitched. He scattered four hits and three walks, striking out five batters. Steve Hayward earned his second save, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings and fanning four.
 
Kinzeler (4-1) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs in five innings of work. The junior from Covington, Louisiana allowed eight hits and four walks, striking out two.
 
UP NEXT
The series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. with Benny Latino Day at the ballpark. The baseball program will honor the newest recipient of its Lion for Life Award. It is also a Military Sunday with all active duty military personnel and veterans receiving free admission (must show Military ID at the ticket window).
 
Lion junior right-hander Andrew Landry (2-3, 3.34) draws the Sunday starting assignment while UIW has not announced a starter for the series finale.
 
TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are now on sale. 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 for most games 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. 
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors the 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.