NATCHITOCHES, La. – Lakin Polk tossed a career-high eight innings Saturday as the defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team defeated Northwestern State, 5-1, at Brown-Stroud Field, claiming the opening series of conference action.
 
A senior right-hander from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Polk also tied a career-best with seven strikeouts as he limited the Demons (5-6, 0-2 SLC) to one unearned run.
 
Southeastern (4-6, 2-0 SLC) provided all the run support Polk needed with a four-run second inning.
 
Justin Williams led off the inning with an infield single, advancing to second on a single up the middle by freshman designated hitter Gavin Panks. A dropped fly ball off the bat of Connor Cuff allowed Williams to score with the first run of the game.
 
Blaise Priester followed with an RBI single to left, bringing home Panks. With Cuff at third base, Priester advanced to second on a passed ball. Consecutive sacrifice flies from Ben Robichaux and Brooks Wright cleared the bases.
 
Northwestern State picked up its run in the bottom of the inning without a base hit. A dropped fly ball allowed Demon right fielder Colin Rains to wind up at third. He scored on a sac fly.
 
A leadoff double by Wright in the fifth set up the final SLU run. Following a wild pitch, Wright scored on Peyton Woods' sac fly to left.
 
Polk (2-1) cruised on his way to earning the victory, scattering seven hits. He hit one batter and did not issue a walk. Luke Lirette closed out the win with a scoreless ninth. Northwestern State starting pitcher Dylan Marionneaux (0-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs – three earned – in 5.2 innings of work.
 
UP NEXT
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Blake Lobell (0-0, 5.00) is slated to start the finale for the Lions. The senior right-hander from Springfield, Louisiana earned All-Conference honors last season. He matches up against Northwestern State redshirt senior right-hander Trent Hillen (1-1, 8.64).
 
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."
 
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.