HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team shut down the UL Lafayette running game Wednesday on its way to a 5-4 non-conference win over the No. 28-ranked Ragin' Cajuns at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
A trio of Southeastern (17-16) players picked up multiple hits, leading a resilient offensive attack for the Lions. Tyler Finke (3-for-5) and Bryce Grizzaffi (3-for-3) picked up three hits each, with Grizzaffi tying his career-high, while designated Connor Manola went 2-for-4 at the plate.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns (24-10) entered the game fourth nationally with 99 stolen bases, but Grizzaffi threw out 2-of-3 runners attempting to steal.
 
SLU reliever Connor Spencer (1-0) earned the win, working 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. He walked one and struck out one. Lance Lauve picked up his third save of the season, combining with Jackson Rodriguez to fan the side in the ninth. Ragin' Cajun left-hander Steven Cash (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing one run in 3.1 innings of relief.
 
The Lions fell behind early, as they have several times in the last couple of weeks. Ragin' Cajun third baseman Max Marusak led off the game with a solo home run off starting pitcher Aaron Hosack. Back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly followed, putting the Ragin' Cajuns up, 2-0, in the first inning.
 
SLU battled back in the bottom of the inning. Ragin' Cajun starting pitcher Ben Tate hit Dane Watts with a pitch to open up the inning. Finke followed with an RBI double down the left-field line. After Manola beat out a bunt for a single, Finke scored from third on Shea Thomas' fielder's choice pop-up down the first-base line.
 
Another hit batter, Tate's third of the game, and a walk led to a Ragin' Cajun call to the bullpen for right-hander David Christie. Finke greeted him with an RBI single to left-center field, putting the Lions out in front, 3-2.
 
Christie walked SLU left fielder McGwire Turned leading off the third, leading to another Lion run. Turner scored from second on Grizzaffi's first hit of the game, a one-out RBI single to center field.
 
Single runs in the fourth and sixth by the Ragin' Cajuns tied the game, but the SLU bullpen was strong down the stretch.
 
TJ Salvaggio lined a two-out home run to right field in the seventh, putting the Lions back on top for good.
 
Spencer entered the game in the top of the inning, eventually handing the ball over to Rodriguez with two outs in the eighth. Grizzaffi threw out a pinch-runner attempting to steal to end the eighth and Rodriguez fanned the first two batters in the ninth to set up Lauve.
 
The win snapped a six-game skid for SLU and forced a split of the season series with the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern (3-6 SLC) returns to Southland Conference action this coming weekend, hosting McNeese (21-11, 4-5 SLC). Games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. All three games are slated for ESPN+.
 
General Admission tickets are just $5 for Friday's series opener.
 
A pregame reunion for all baseball alumni and staff will be held before Saturday's game and there will be on-field recognition prior to the first pitch. Baseball alums interested in attending should RSVP with Allie Crain in the LAA office at allie.crain@southeastern.edu.
 
Fans can also play Baseball Bingo at Saturday's game by picking up a card at the marketing table. The first three completed bingo cards go home as winners.
 
The series finale is another Military Sunday game with all active duty military personnel and veterans receiving free admission (must show Military ID at the ticket window).
 
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.