HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team picked up a run-rule victory over UTRGV, 12-1, in seven innings Friday in Southland Conference action at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (31-8, 16-4 SLC) has taken the first two games of the conference series against the Vaqueros (25-12, 16-7 SLC). Combined with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's 13-5 win at McNeese (16-5 SLC), the Lions have moved into sole possession of first place in the Southland standings.
 
Dane Watts put SLU up, 2-0, in the second inning, launching a two-run home run to right-center field. It was his fifth homer of the season.
 
The Lions sent eight batters to the plate in the fifth, chasing UTRGV starting pitcher Angelo Cabral from the game. Cabral walked Parker Coley and Jude Hall to open the inning. Vaquero reliever Caden Wanless walked Giovanni Licciardi to load the bases.
 
Coley scored on Ryan Brome's sacrifice fly to center. Conner O'Neal drove a one-out, RBI single to center to plate Hall. Mo Little drove in two more with a single to center.
 
UTRGV picked up a run in the sixth, but the Lions responded with a run in their half of the inning on a sacrifice bunt.
 
A pair of Vaquero relievers failed to retire a batter in the seventh as SLU eventually walked off on Ben Robichaux's grand slam to left-center. It was his seventh home run of the season.
 
Luke Lirette (4-1) earned the win, allowing one run in 5.2 innings pitched. He scattered five hits and one walk, striking out three. Cabral (4-1) suffered the loss, allowing four runs – all earned – in 4.0 innings pitched.
 
Robichaux (2-for-4) and Watts (2-for-3) produced multiple hits apiece for the Lions.
 
UP NEXT
The series wraps up Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Blake Lobell (2-1, 4.12), a junior right-hander from Holden, Louisiana, earns the start on the mound for Southeastern in the finale. UTRGV is slated to throw redshirt junior left-hander Victor Loa (5-1, 1.94).
 
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. Fans at the ballpark 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.