HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team had its winning streak snapped at six consecutive games, dropping an 8-7 decision to No. 23-ranked Southern Miss in non-conference action Tuesday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (29-8) twice answered attempts by the Golden Eagles (25-12) to take command in the game, bouncing back from a 1-0 deficit in the third and responding USM second baseman Nick Monistere tied the game in the fifth with a two-run home run.
 
Conner O'Neal gave SLU the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer, his 11^th of the season.
 
An RBI single by TJ Salvaggio in the fourth added a run to the Lion advantage and Jude Hall put Southeastern back on top in the fifth with an infield single.
 
Bases-loaded walks in the sixth to Bailyn Sorensen and Parker Coley put SLU up, 6-3, and the teams traded runs in the seventh.
 
After the first two batters were retired in the ninth, Southern Miss loaded the bases for Monistere who launched his second homer of the game. The grand slam put the Golden Eagles on top, 8-7.
 
Reliever Colby Allen retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the lead, earning his seventh save. Camden Sunstrom (1-0) picked up the win, allowing one run in 2.2 innings of relief work. Brady St. Pierre (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing one run in 0.1 innings pitched.
 
SLU produced double-digit hits for the fifth straight game. Ryan Brome (4-for-6), O'Neal (2-for-5) and Dane Watts (2-for-5) enjoyed multi-hit games at the plate for the Lions
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern hosts Southland Conference newcomer UTRGV in a three-game conference series that runs Thursday through Saturday. Game times are 6 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Thursday's game promotion is Teachers in the Bleachers. All local area teachers will receive $5 off a general admission ticket purchased the day of the game at the ballpark ticket office. Teachers are asked to present their school ID card to receive the discount.
 
Friday's game is Autism Awareness Night with the Lions wearing a special game hat. Saturday fans will be able to play Baseball Bingo during the game.
 
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.