CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team pulled away late in the series finale to defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 14-5, in Southland Conference action at Chapman Field.
 
Southeastern (29-7, 14-4 SLC) finished off the series sweep of the Islanders (13-24, 5-13 SLC), marking the third conference sweep and fifth overall weekend sweep this season for SLU.
 
Both starting pitchers were locked in early, carrying a scoreless game into the fourth.
 
TJ Salvaggio put the Lions on the board first, launching a one-out, solo home run to right-center field in the fourth.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi responded with back-to-back home runs to open up the bottom of the frame, taking its first lead of the series.
 
SLU bounced back in the fifth, knocking out Islander starting pitcher Bryson Shea on the way to a five-run inning. Dane Watts drew a walk to lead off the inning. Peyton Woods and Parker Coley (RBI) followed with back-to-back singles.
 
Jude Hall greeted reliever Gage Burdick with a sacrifice bunt, plating Woods. Giovanni Licciardi and Ryan Brome (RBI) followed with back-to-back singles. Salvaggio delivered a double, clearing the bases.
 
The Islanders scratched across single runs in their half of the fifth and sixth, the latter coming on designated hitter Jackson Smith's second homer of the game.
 
With the Lions enjoying a 6-4 advantage through six, Mo Little added to the lead with a solo home run to right. It was the fifth of the season for the junior third baseman out of Brandon, Mississippi.
 
Salvaggio capped off a two-run eighth with his second home run of the game. The solo shot was his 10^th of the season, making him the third Lion to produce double-digit homers this season. It also gives him 31 in his career, as he climbs into a tie for fourth on the program's all-time chart with Andy Allain (1981-84) and Ed Nodhturft (1996-97).
 
Licciardi and Conner O'Neal drove in a pair of runs each in the ninth as SLU tacked on five more runs in its final trip to the plate.
 
Blake Lobell (5-1) earned the win, allowing three runs – all earned – in 5.0 innings pitched. He surrendered seven hits and one walk, striking out four batters. Shea (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing four runs – all earned – in 4.0 innings of work.
 
The Lions pounded out 18 hits, tying a season-high as they produced double-digit hits for the fourth consecutive game and fifth time in their last six.
 
Salvaggio (4-for-5), Licciardi (3-for-5), Coley (2-for-5), O'Neal (2-for-5) and Watts (2-for-5) each contributed multiple hits for SLU.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern kicks off a five-game homestand Tuesday, hosting No. 23-ranked Southern Miss at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. Kids 12 and under will be able to stand on the field with their favorite Lion player during the National Anthem.
 
The Lions then host Southland-newcomer UTRGV in a three-game series, April 17-19, before wrapping up the homestand, April 22, against Dillard.
 
RADIO SHOW
Inside Southeastern Baseball with Bobby Barbier airs live each 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 KSLU 90.9 The Lion, via the Lions Gameday Experience 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.
 
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.