HAMMOND, La. – The first-place Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team hosts Southland Conference newcomer UTRGV in a three-game series Thursday through Saturday at Par Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
With games scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday, the series could have a significant impact on the conference standings with four weekends remaining before the Southland Baseball Tournament. All three games will be carried on ESPN+.
 
Southeastern (29-8, 14-4 SLC) is tied for first with Houston Christian and McNeese. UTRGV (25-11, 16-5 SLC) is mere percentage points back due to having played more conference games at this point of the season. The top eight teams earn a spot in the Southland Tournament. The top two seeds will host a four-team bracket, May 15-18, ahead of the championship series, May 22-24, at the highest remaining seed.
 
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.
 
Fans can listen to game broadcasts in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 The Lion. In addition, an audio stream is available online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience and MyTuner Radio apps. The MyTuner app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most late-model automobiles.
 
Live stats will be available in the Lions Gameday Experience app and online at www.LionSports.net.
 
Hitting .307 as a team, the Lions rank 13th nationally with 64 home runs. Southeastern also ranks third in the nation in both shutouts (6) and double plays turned (38) and fourth with a 3.33 staff ERA.
 
Dane Watts (.373, 4 HR, 25 RBI), Ryan Brome (.379, 12 HR, 34 RBI), Giovanni Licciardi (.352, 21 RBI), TJ Salvaggio (.307, 10 HR, 36 RBI), Ben Robichuax (.303, 6 HR, 16 RBI) and Conner O'Neal (.301, 11 HR, 40 RBI) pace the SLU offense at the plate.
 
Right-hander Brennan Stuprich (7-2, 2.30) draws the starting nod for the Lions on the mound in the series opener. The redshirt senior from Kenner, Louisiana is climbing the program career charts and currently ranks in the Top 5 in wins, strikeouts and games started. He will be opposed by UTRGV graduate right-hander Angelo Cabral (4-0, 4.02).
 
Friday's pitching matchup features junior right-hander Luke Lirette (3-1, 3.91) for SLU. The junior from Houma, Louisiana will counter Vaquero junior right-hander Wyatt Wiatrek (5-0, 3.09).
 
Blake Lobell (2-1, 4.12), a junior right-hander from Holden, Louisiana, earns the start on the mound for Southeastern in Saturday's contest. UTRGV is slated to throw redshirt junior left-hander Victor Loa (5-1, 1.94).
 
The Vaqueros are led at the plate by Armani Raygoza (.381, 10 HR, 41 RBI), Isaac Lopez (.364, 6 HR, 31 RBI), Jacob Sanchez (.364, 7 HR, 23 RBI), Steven Lancia (.336, 2 HR, 25 RBI) and Easton Moomau (.319, 1 HR, 29 RBI).
 
UP NEXT                                                                                                                                             
Southeastern wraps up the current five-game homestand with a non-conference contest Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Dillard.
 
Kids, aged 12 and under, will be able to stand on the field with their favorite Lion player during the National Anthem. The concession stand will feature $2 hot dogs and a postgame fireworks display is slated.
 
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.
 
OPPONENT | LOCATION
UTRGV (25-11, 16-5 SLC) at Southeastern (29-8, 14-4 SLC)
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)
 
DATES | TIMES | PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday, April 17 – 6 p.m. (CT)
UTRGV – RHP Angelo Cabral (4-0, 4.02) vs.
SLU – RHP Brennan Stuprich (7-2, 2.30)
 
Friday, April 18 – 6 p.m. (CT)
UTRGV – RHP Wyatt Wiatrek (5-0, 3.09) vs.
SLU – RHP Luke Lirette (3-1, 3.91)
 
Saturday, April 19 – 1 p.m. (CT)
UTRGV – LHP Victor Loa (5-1, 1.94) vs.
SLU – RHP Blake Lobell (5-1, 3.72)
 
RADIO | VIDEO | INTERNET | MOBILE DEVICES
• Radio – KSLU 90.9 The Lion
• TV / Video – ESPN+
• www.LionSports.net – live stats, audio and video
• Lions Gameday Experience app