HAMMOND, La. – Four Kent State home runs proved too much for the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team to overcome, falling 8-3 in the season opener Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Despite transportation issues delaying the start of the game, the Golden Flashes (1-0) came out swinging. A pair of home runs in the second inning, and another in the third, put Kent State up 5-0 early in the game.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Southeastern (0-1) rallied to cut their 6-0 deficit in half.
 
Third baseman Alex Perry, a redshirt senior from McComb, Mississippi, drew a leadoff walk and reliever Gavin Jones hit Peyton Woods with a pitch. A one-out walk issued to Ben Robichaux loaded the bases.
 
Perry was erased on a fielder's choice off the bat of Justin Williams, but Hammond native Dane Watts followed with a two-run single to center field. First baseman Brody Capps added an RBI single through the right side, pulling the Lions within three.
 
Down 6-3, SLU was poised to tie the game up in the eighth. Designated hitter Giovanni Licciardi, a redshirt senior from Metairie, Louisiana, led off the inning with a single up the middle. Perry followed with his first hit as a Lion, putting a pair aboard.
 
Following back-to-back strikeouts, Robichaux lofted a deep fly ball to left field. The ball appeared deep enough to clear the wall, but Kent State left fielder Alejandro Covas made a leaping catch to rob Robichaux of a game-tying, three-run homer.
 
A two-run homer in the top of the ninth was the second home run of the game for Golden Flashes right fielder Sawyer Solataria.
 
Kent State starting pitcher Ciaran Caughey (1-0) earned the win, tossing five shutout innings and fanning eight batters. Brady St. Pierre (0-1) suffered the loss in the first start of his collegiate career, surrendering five runs in four innings of work.
 
Licciardi (2-for-4) and Watts (2-for-5) turned in multi-hit performances at the plate for Southeastern.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. 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.
 
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.
 
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."
 
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.