NATCHITOCHES, La. – The defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team opened conference play with a 7-5 win Friday over Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field.
 
Southeastern (3-6, 1-0 SLC) took advantage of free passes in the second inning, taking a 4-0 lead over the Demons (5-5, 0-1 SLC) and never looked back.
 
Brody Capps and Connor Cuff drew a pair of walks to open the second before right fielder Mo Little was hit by a pitch to load the bases. An infield hit by Ben Robichaux got the Lions on the board, bringing home Capps with the first run of the game.
 
Cuff scored on a balk by Northwestern State starting pitcher Carter White (0-2). One out later, center fielder Brooks Wright brought home Little and Robichaux with a double to right-center.
 
SLU took a 7-0 lead in the fifth, chasing White from the game. Justin Williams drew a leadoff walk, but was erased on a fielder's choice. Capps and Cuff drew walks once again, loading the bases with one out.
 
Alex Perry scored on a wild pitch and Robichaux brought in both Capps and Cuff with a two-out single to right-center.
 
A Lion error and a wild pitch helped lead to four Northwestern State runs in the bottom of the inning.
 
The Demons picked up their final run in the eighth on an RBI triple.
 
Brady St. Pierre (1-2) earned the win, allowing four runs – two earned – in 5.0 innings pitched. He surrendered seven hits and a pair of walks, striking out six batters. Truitt Webb earned his first save of the season, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth.
 
Kaleb Howell bridged the gap between the two, allowing one run in 3.0 innings of relief work.
 
White suffered the loss, allowing all seven SLU runs in 4.2 innings pitched. He coughed up four hits, walked six, hit a batter and committed a balk, along with striking out five batters.
 
Robichaux (2-for-3) contributed a pair of hits to the Lion offensive effort.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Lakin Polk (1-1, 8.00), a senior right-hander from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, draws the starting assignment for Saturday's contest opposite Demon junior right-hander Dylan Marionneaux (0-1, 4.22).
 
Fans can listen to all the Southeastern (2-6, 0-0 SLC) 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.