BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team fell, 2-1, to league-leading Lamar in the opening game of a Southland Conference series Friday at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
Both starting pitchers were locked in early, carrying a scoreless game into the sixth inning.
 
Lamar (27-6, 6-1 SLC) broke through first, scratching across a run with back-to-back doubles with one out. They would add a second run in the eighth on a leadoff home run.
 
Southeastern (19-15, 3-7 SLC) rallied in the ninth, trying to keep the game alive.
 
Pinch-hitter Rhett Rosevear drew a leadoff walk. Jake Haze followed with a single through the right side. The Lions sent Jeremy Rader in to run for Haze. After a failed bunt attempt and a strikeout, Cole Stromboe came through with an RBI single to center field, driving in Rosevear.
 
With Rader at third as the potential tying run, TJ Salvaggio grounded the ball up the middle. Initially, it looked like the ball was going to get through into center after kicking off the mound, but the Cardinal second baseman had just enough time to reach the ball and fire it to first to retire Salvaggio.
 
Starting pitcher Brooks Caple (5-3) earned the win for Lamar, tossing 6.1 shutout innings. He scattered three hits and three walks, striking out 10 batters. Austin Neal earned his sixth save of the season, allowing one run in 2.1 innings of relief work.
 
Brennan Stuprich (3-3) suffered the loss, tossing the first complete game by a Lion pitcher in nearly two seasons. He allowed two runs – both earned – on six hits and one walk, striking out six batters.
 
Conner O'Neal (2-for-4) and Stromboe (2-for-4) turned in multi-hit performances at the plate for SLU.
 
UP NEXT
The series continued Saturday at 5 p.m. Television coverage is available on ESPN+.
 
Fans can listen to the game broadcast in the Hammond area on 90.9 The Lion. In addition, an audio stream is available online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, TuneIn and MyTuner Radio apps. Both the TuneIn and MyTuner apps are compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most late-model automobiles. Search for KSLU 90.9 FM in the TuneIn 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
Fans are encouraged to follow the Southeastern Baseball social media accounts (@LionUpBaseball) on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay engaged with the program.
 
The latest updates are also available at www.LionSports.net and the Lions Gameday Experience app. Available for both Android and iOS devices, the Gameday app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.