HAMMOND, La. – Michael Curry, Pierce Leavengood and Lakin Polk each homered for the Lions as the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team defeated Jackson State, 14-4, Tuesday in non-conference action at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Leavengood's blast was his second in the last five days while both Curry and Polk hit the first of their Southeastern (19-18) careers.
 
Shea Thomas led the Lions with three hits and four RBIs. Leavengood and Polk drove in three apiece. Nine different players recorded at least one hit for SLU.
 
Jackson State (19-16) struck first, picking up a run in the first inning of starting pitcher Jack Walker. The sophomore right-hander from Lake Charles, Louisiana worked in and out of trouble over the next couple of innings but was able to limit the damage to that lone first-inning run.
 
Back-to-back doubles by Dane Watts and Rhett Rosevear brought home the tying run in the third. Rosevear would later score from second on a routine ground out by Thomas.
 
SLU scored two more runs in the fifth. Watts and Rosevear drew back-to-back walks. Both advanced into scoring position on a ground out. Watts scored on Thomas' RBI single through the left side and Rosevear scored on Leavengood's sac fly to center field.
 
The Tigers scored a pair of runs in the sixth, tightening the game back up.
 
Southeastern responded in the bottom half of the inning, expanding its lead out to 6-3. Once again Watts and Rosevear drew back-to-back walks. They would both score on Thomas' two-run single through the left side.
 
Curry added to the Lion lead in the seventh, launching a monstrous shot to left-center field. The sophomore from Brusly, Louisiana would finish the night 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
 
Southeastern doubled up the score with seven runs in the eighth, aided by Leavengood's two-run shot down the right-field line and Polk's pinch-hit, three-run bomb. A freshman from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Polk is the first Lion to launch a pinch-hit homer since Brandon Hale did so against Houston Baptist on May 22, 2021.
 
Walker (1-0) earned the win in a designated short start, allowing one run in 3.2 innings pitched. He scattered three hits and five walks, striking out three batters. Tiger reliever Erwins Branche (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering two runs on two hits in 2.0 innings of work. He walked two and struck out one.
 
Southeastern returns to action on April 28 in the opening game of a Southland Conference series against Lamar.
 
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.