HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team scored three runs in the eighth inning Thursday, pulling away from UTRGV for a 5-3 win in Southland Conference action at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
With the win over the Vaqueros (25-12, 16-6 SLC), Southeastern (30-8, 15-4 SLC) maintains a share of first place in the Southland standings. UTRGV remains in fourth, though just a half game back of first.
 
Brennan Stuprich was stellar once again for the Lions, suppressing the UTRGV offense until late and climbing the SLU career charts in the process.
 
Vaquero starting pitcher Nick Nolan issued back-to-back walks to Bailyn Sorensen and Jude Hall opening up the third inning. Giovanni Licciardi dropped down a bunt, beating it out for a hit to load the bases.
 
Ryan Brome lofted a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Sorensen. After Nolan hit TJ Salvaggio with a pitch to once again load the bases, Conner O'Neal delivered another sacrifice fly to center. Hall raced home to put the Lions up, 2-0.
 
Stuprich carried a shutout into the seventh, surrendering a leadoff home run to Vaquero catcher Steven Lancia. It was his third home run of the season. UTRGV scratched across another run in the eighth on a sac fly to tie the game.
 
The Lions responded immediately.
 
Salvaggio greeted reliever Steven Oliva with a single through the left side of the infield and O'Neal followed with a towering blast to right-center field. The two-run homer, O'Neal's 12^th of the season, tied him with Brome for the conference lead. Mo Little followed with a no-doubter to left, his sixth of the season.
 
Brady St. Pierre worked the ninth, striking out all three batters he faced to lock down his seventh save of the season.
 
Stuprich (8-2) earned his conference-leading eighth win of the season, allowing two runs – both earned – in eight innings of work. He scattered five hits and two walks, striking out six batters. Oliva (0-2) was tagged with the loss, failing to retire any of the four batters he faced.
 
The win is the 24^th of Stuprich's career, tying him with Bob Hardy (1959-62), Chris Laiche (1991-94) and Brandon Efferson (2008-11) for the second-most in program history. The redshirt senior from Kenner, Louisiana also moved into sole possession of second place on the SLU career strikeout chart with 261, bypassing both Wade Miley (259, 2006-08) and Tate Scioneaux (260, 2013-15).
 
In addition, Stuprich tied Efferson for the most games started by a pitcher (49) in program history and moved into sixth place for career innings pitched (297.2) as he bypassed Richard Simon (1970-73).
 
McNeese (15-4 SLC) defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 8-5, to remain tied with SLU for first place. HCU fell out of first, falling 10-5 at New Orleans.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Friday at 6 p.m. with Autism Awareness Night. The Lions will wear a special game hat.
 
Friday's pitching matchup features junior right-hander Luke Lirette (3-1, 3.91) for SLU. The junior from Houma, Louisiana is tentatively slated to counter Vaquero junior right-hander Wyatt Wiatrek (5-0, 3.09). The game will be carried on ESPN+.
 
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.
 
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 the 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.