HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University's
Maria Detillier hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth inning to help the SLU softball team to a wild 8-6 victory over Syracuse to close out the opening day of the Lion Classic Friday evening at North Oak Park.
Southeastern (6-1) opened its home schedule with its first win over a Power 5 opponent since a 2-0 win over Nebraska in 2022. Syracuse fell to 4-3 overall with the loss.
In the opening game of the tournament, Maryland (3-4) earned a 9-1 run-rule victory over Southeast Missouri (3-3). Later in the day, Syracuse rallied past Maryland for a 6-3 win.
Detillier's hit was one of three extra-base hits on the day for SLU, as
Lexi Johnson and
Audrey Greely each hit their first home runs of the season.
Bailey Krolczyk led a nine-hit Lady Lion attack with two hits, while Detillier, Johnson and
Cam Goodman each drove in two runs.
Ellie DuBois,
Mary-Cathryn (MC) Comeaux and
Cera Blanchard (2-0) combined to allow eight hits and strike out five versus the Orange.
Southeastern took the early lead in the bottom of the second inning. Goodman singled home the inning's first two runs, then scored on an infield single by
Ka'Lyn Watson to give SLU a 3-0 lead.
Syracuse answered back in the top of the third inning. RBI by Angel Jasso and Taylor Posner cut the lead to 3-2, then a Lady Lion error allowed two more runs to score and put SLU behind, 4-3.
Syracuse was poised to extend the lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Orange loaded the bases, but Comeaux forced Vanessa Flores to pop out to keep the deficit at 4-3.
Comeaux's mettle was awarded in the bottom of the fifth, as Southeastern retook the lead. Krolczyk hit a sharp single to centerfield to put the tying run on, then Johnson launched a 2-0 pitch over the centerfield fence to take a 5-4 lead. Later in the frame, Greely chased SU starter Madison Knight from the game, lining a solo shot over the left field fence to give SLU a 6-4 advantage.
Syracuse answered right back in the top of the sixth inning on a game-tying two-run single. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, Blanchard struck out Madelyn Lopez to keep the score deadlocked at 6-6.
Colleen Kulivan singled to open the bottom of the sixth, then Syracuse reliever Julianna Verni (1-1) hit
Ka'Lyn Watson to put a pair of runners on with no outs. One out later, Detillier ripped a triple into the right field corner to clear the bases and give SLU an 8-6 lead.
Blanchard made the lead stand up in the top of the seventh inning. A diving catch in centerfield by Goodman highlighted a 1-2-3 inning for the Metairie, Louisiana native that closed out the victory.
Southeastern will face Maryland at 1 p.m. and Southeast Missouri at 5 p.m. Saturday to close out the Lion Classic. Live stats will be available at
www.LionSports.net/sidearmstats/softball.
2024 Lion Classic | Feb. 16-18 | Hammond, La. | North Oak Park
Friday, Feb. 16
Game 1 - Maryland 9, Southeast Missouri 1 (6 Innings)
Game 2 – Syracuse 6, Maryland 3
Game 3 – Southeastern 8, Syracuse 6
Saturday, Feb. 17
11 a.m. – Syracuse vs. Maryland
1 p.m. – Southeastern vs. Maryland
3 p.m. – Syracuse vs. Southeast Missouri
5 p.m. – Southeastern vs. Southeast Missouri
Sunday, Feb. 18
10 a.m. – Southeast Missouri vs. Maryland
Team listed first will be home team and occupy first base dugout
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball 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 Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit
www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail 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 has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit
www.LionSports.net/clear.
