HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team, the defending Southland Conference regular-season champions, opens its 2026 slate with a three-game series at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field against Kent State, the defending Mid-American Conference regular-season champions.
 
Games between Southeastern (38-16) and the Golden Flashes (38-18) are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. All three games are slated for coverage on ESPN+.
 
Kids age 12 and under can stand on the field during the series opener with their favorite Lion player for the national anthem as part of the Friday Funday promotion. Saturday, the first 50 ladies through the gates will receive a free rose for Valentine's Day at the Ballpark. Fans will also be able to play baseball bingo during Saturday's contest, with the first 25 winners claiming a prize. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day. One complimentary ticket will be given out per valid military ID.
 
Fans can listen to all the baseball action on KSLU 90.9 The Lion, online at either www.LionSports.net/listenlive or www.LionUpRadio.org, via the following apps – Lions Gameday Experience, Live365, iHeart, Audacy, TuneIn and MyTuner Radio - or on Alexa speakers (skill must be enabled first). All you have to say is, "Alexa, play K.S.L.U."
 
Brady St. Pierre (2-1, 3.62) earned the Friday night starter's role for the Lions. The sophomore right-hander from LaPlace, Louisiana is the reigning Southland Conference Relief Pitcher of the Year. He will oppose Kent State senior right-hander Ciaran Caughey (4.0, 6.15).
 
Lakin Polk (4-0, 2.72), a senior right-hander from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, draws the starting assignment for Saturday's contest opposite Golden Flash redshirt sophomore right-hander Easton Tumis, a transfer from Texas.
 
Blake Lobell (7-1, 3.90) is slated to start the series finale for the Lions. The senior right-hander from Springfield, Louisiana earned All-Conference honors last season. He matches up against Kent State redshirt sophomore right-hander Ben Rabatin (0-0, 6.39).
 
SLU hit .296 combined with 85 doubles, 14 triples and tied a program record with 86 home runs. The pitching staff finished ninth in the nation with a 3.76 ERA and averaged 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings. A strong defense, which ranked fifth nationally in double plays per game, helped lead to eight shutouts, a figure that ranked third in the nation.
 
Entering his 10^th season as head coach, and third at the helm of the Lion program, is reigning Southland Conference Coach of the Year Bobby Barbier (249-213 career/68-44 at SLU).
 
Southeastern returns All-Conference hitters Dane Watts (.342-7-34) and Giovanni Licciardi (.293-2-29). Justin Williams (UT Tyler) leads an experienced transfer class that includes Brody Capps (UT Martin), Connor Cuff (UL Lafayette), Alex Perry (Tennessee) and Blaise Priester (LSU). All figure to see significant playing time for the Lions.
 
Kent State hit .311 as a squad last season with 129 doubles, 29 triples and 74 home runs on the way to posting a 23-7 record in conference games. The Golden Flashes' pitching staff compiled a 5.70 ERA and averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern continues its season-opening eight-game homestand Tuesday, hosting preseason No. 20-ranked Southern Miss on Mardi Gras. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. The Lions will be handing out king cake to the fans in attendance, while supplies last.
 
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.
 
OPPONENT | LOCATION
Kent State (38-18, 23-7 MAC) at Southeastern (38-16, 22-8 SLC)
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (Hammond, Louisiana)
 
DATES | TIMES | PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday, Feb. 13 – 6 p.m. (CT)
KSU – RHP Ciaran Caughey (4-0, 6.15) vs.
SLU – RHP Brady St. Pierre (2-1, 3.62)
 
Saturday, Feb. 14 – 2 p.m. (CT)
KSU – RHP Easton Tumis (0-0, -.--) vs.
SLU – RHP Lakin Polk (4-0, 2.72)
 
Sunday, Feb. 15 – 1 p.m. (CT)
KSU – RHP Ben Rabatin (0-0, 6.39) vs.
SLU – RHP Blake Lobell (7-1, 3.90)
 
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