NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team's comeback attempt was snuffed out by Northwestern State in a 5-4 loss Sunday in Southland Conference action at Brown-Stroud Field.
 
Down by two runs entering the ninth, Southeastern (4-7, 2-1 SLC) received back-to-back singles to open up the inning from pinch-hitter Giovanni Licciardi and catcher Blaise Priester. Licciardi was erased on a fielder's choice, but Priester scored from second base on Ben Robichaux's RBI single through the left side of the infield.
 
Northwestern State (6-6, 1-2 SLC) reliever Lucas Harrington struck out the next batter to end the SLU rally.
 
The Lions took the initial lead in the game, picking up a run in the third. Robichaux pulled a one-out single to right-center field before picking up his first stolen base of the season. He advanced to third when the throw on his stolen base kicked away from the Demon middle infielders. Robichaux scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brooks Wright.
 
Northwestern State scored a pair of runs in the fifth, taking the lead. A pair of hit batters set up a bases-loaded situation for Demon first baseman Thomas Marsala III, who delivered a two-run single to left-center for his second of three hits in the game.
 
Single runs in the sixth and seventh pushed the Lions back on top.
 
Wright started the rally that tied the game, pulling a one-out single to right-center in the sixth. After Northwestern State starting pitcher Trent Hillen issued a walk to Connor Cuff, the Demons brought in reliever Wesley Marien. The right-hander promptly uncorked a wild pitch that allowed both SLU runners to advance. Wright scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of third baseman Alex Perry.
 
A pair of hit batters led to the Lions' go-ahead run in the seventh with Priester scoring on Robichaux's first of two RBI singles in the game.
 
An errant relay throw on a potential double-play ball eventually led to the Demons tying the game in the bottom half of the inning on Marsala's second run-producing single.
 
Northwestern State pinch-hitter Colton Harrison put the Demons on top for good with a two-run home run in the eighth off SLU reliever Logan Freche (0-2).
 
Left-handed reliever Jacob LeBlanc (2-1) earned the win for the Demons, allowing one run over 1.2 innings pitched. Harrington picked up his first save of the season, producing the final two outs of the game. Freche suffered the loss, allowing three runs – two earned – in 2.0 innings of relief work.
 
Robichaux (3-for-4) paced the Lion offense, turning in his second multi-hit performance of the weekend.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions wrap up their five-game road trip with a pair of non-conference games against ULM in Monroe. Start times are slated for 6 p.m. on March 3 and 4 p.m. on March 4 at Lou St. Amant Field. Both games are slated for coverage on ESPN+.
 
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.