HAMMOND, La. – New Orleans scored a two-out run in the top of the ninth, holding on for a 4-3 victory over the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team in Southland Conference action Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (22-23, 4-12 SLC) was locked into a pitcher's duel with the Privateers (25-20, 10-6 SLC) for the length of the game as both starting pitchers worked seven strong innings apiece.
 
Brennan Stuprich allowed three runs – all earned – in 7.0 innings of work, scattering 12 hits and one walk. He struck out seven UNO hitters. Colton Mercer also allowed three runs – all earned – in his seven-inning stint, scattering nine hits and one walk. He fanned 12 Lion batters. Neither starting pitcher ultimately factored in the decision.
 
The Privateers struck first. UNO catcher Miguel Useche led off the second inning with a double to right-center field. He advanced to third on a fly ball and scored the game's first run on an RBI single to left by third baseman Maika Niu.
 
SLU tied the game in the third. With one out, Shea Thomas launched a solo home run to left-center. It was the eighth of the season for the fifth-year senior out of Olympia, Washington.
 
UNO regained the lead in the sixth. Another leadoff double, this time by shortstop Diego Villescas, put a runner in scoring position. He scored on a one-out, RBI single to right by Useche.
 
The Lions responded immediately. TJ Salvaggio led off the bottom of the inning with his 11^th home run of the season, launching an opposite-field shot. Jake Haze followed with a triple just inside the bag at first base. Haze scored on Cole Stromboe's two-out, infield single to give SLU the lead.
 
Southeastern's advantage did not last long as the Privateers tied it back up in the seventh. Center fielder Issac Williams lined a one-out triple to center. He scored on Villescas' two-out single through the right side.
 
UNO pushed across the go-ahead run with three consecutive, two-out hits in the ninth off Lion closer Lakin Polk (4-3). Villescas plated the eventual winning run with his fourth hit of the game.
 
Privateer reliever Ryan Delorbe (3-1) earned the win, tossing a pair of scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out three. Polk suffered the loss, allowing one run in his two-inning stint. He surrendered three hits and struck out one.
 
Stromboe (2-for-4) and Thomas (2-for-4) turned in multi-hit performances at the plate for the Lions.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ with a pitching matchup that features redshirt junior right-hander RHP Dakota Lee (1-3, 6.02) for SLU and junior right-hander Grant Edwards (4-4, 5.24) for the Privateers.
 
Saturday's game is Alumni Night and will also feature Baseball Bingo. SLU Baseball alums are asked to check in by 5 p.m. for a tour of the new clubhouse facility and on-field recognition prior to the first pitch. For more information, contact Allie Crain with the LAA at allie.crain@southeastern.edu.
 
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.
 
TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are now on sale. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to minimize ticket lines on game days. Southeastern students are encouraged to contact the ticket office before the game to reserve theirs in advance.
 
General admission tickets for most games are $11 for adults and $8 for youth (ages 3-12). Southeastern students, with a university ID, and children under age 2 are admitted for free. Gameday parking is $5 per day for standard vehicles and $25 for RVs.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. The ticket booth at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens exactly one hour before the scheduled first pitch.

Southeastern uses mobile ticketing as the primary method for distributing tickets purchased online. Tickets will be available via text message or email 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 enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors the safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.
 
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.