HAMMOND, La. – McNeese walked off with a, 9-5, Southland Conference victory over the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team Sunday at Joe Miller Ballpark, taking two of the three games in the series.
 
A grand slam by Cooper Hext, his second home run of the game, provided the margin of victory for the Cowboys (21-20, 5-10 SLC) in the ninth, ending the back-and-forth affair with Southeastern (22-21, 4-11 SLC).
 
Hext tied the game in the fifth with a three-run homer off SLU starting pitcher Lakin Polk after the Lions had built a 3-0 lead halfway through the game.
 
The Cowboys took the lead in both the seventh and eighth innings, but Southeastern twice rallied to tie the game.
 
Junior shortstop TJ Salvaggio delivered an RBI single up the middle in the eighth, plating pinch-runner Dane Watts to knot the score up, 4-4.
 
Following a leadoff homer by McNeese first baseman Elliot Hebert in the eighth, Parker Coley drove an RBI single through the right side to bring in pinch-runner Jude Hall with the Lions' fifth run of the game.
 
Reliever Cameron LeJeune (5-2) earned the win despite allowing a run in each of the two innings he worked in relief. Aiden Vosburg (0-4) was tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs – all earned – in two innings of relief work.
 
SLU produced double-digit hits for the fifth straight game, tying a season-high. Jake Haze (3-for-4), Salvaggio (3-for-4) and Ryan Brome (2-for-3) turned in multi-hit performances at the plate for the Lions.
 
RADIO SHOW
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Bobby Barbier airs live Monday at 5 p.m. from WiseGuys Daiquiris in Hammond. Barbier joins co-host Allen Waddell for the 60-minute radio show, talking about the latest in Southeastern baseball.
 
It can be heard locally on 90.9 The Lion (KSLU-FM), via the Lions Gameday Experience, TuneIn and MyTuner Radio apps, as well as online at either www.LionSports.net/listenlive or LionUpRadio.org. Both the TuneIn and MyTuner Radio apps are compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most modern automobiles.
 
WiseGuys Daiquiris is located at 14372 University Ave. and features a full bar, daiquiris, lots of TVs to watch all your favorite sports events along with a kitchen serving appetizers and pizza.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern heads to New Orleans, Louisiana for its final non-conference road contest of the 2024 regular season. The Lions face Tulane with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium. The game is slated for coverage on ESPN+ and the Southeastern Sports Radio Network via 90.9 The Lion.
 
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.