HAMMOND, La. – Propelled by big innings, UIW claimed the series finale, 11-1, from the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team Sunday in Southland Conference at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
The Cardinals (15-13, 4-2 SLC) won the final two games in the three-game series with Southeastern (16-12, 3-3 SLC), maintaining a spot at the top of the conference standings along with Nicholls (17-13, 4-2 SLC) and Northwestern State (15-12, 2-1 SLC).
 
Michael Curry, a sophomore from Brusly, Louisiana, earned the first start of his collegiate career and went 2-for-4 at the plate, the first multi-hit performance of his career.
 
For the third time in the series, UIW took the lead in the first inning. Lion starting pitcher Andrew Landry hit two of the first three batters with a pitch before surrendering an RBI single with two outs to Cardinal second baseman Jimmy DeLeon.
 
Back-to-back singles and a fielder's choice plated a run to open up the second. UIW right fielder Wilson Ehrhardt followed with his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to right.
 
Cardinal starting pitcher Micah Berens was sharp early, retiring the first eight batters he faced before Curry became the first SLU baserunner when he picked up a two-out single in the third.
 
Down 4-0 in the fourth, Southeastern strung together four consecutive singles off Berens to open up the inning. Shea Thomas scored on Champ Artigues's RBI knock to right.
 
As they did in the previous game, the Cardinals immediately answered with a run in the fifth. Catcher Hernan Yanez led off the inning with a triple inside the first-base bag, scoring on a one-out single by DeLeon.
 
UIW would add three runs in both the eighth and ninth off the Southeastern bullpen to put the game away. DeLeon homered in the ninth, finishing the game 3-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs.
 
Berens (2-0) earned the win, allowing one run in 5.2 innings pitched. He scattered six hits and two walks, striking out five batters. UIW reliever Luis Rodriguez finished out the game with 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two baserunners on the way to earning his first save of the season.
 
Landry (2-4) suffered the loss, allowing five runs – all earned – on seven hits. He walked one, hit a pair of batters and struck out four.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern travels to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a 6 p.m. game Tuesday against Southern Miss at Pete Taylor Park. The game is slated to be carried on ESPN+. It will be the second meeting between the two programs this season with the Golden Eagle claiming an 8-1 win in Hammond on March 14.
 
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. 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.