LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team dropped its Southland Conference series opener, 8-2, Friday to McNeese at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
McNeese (11-10, 5-5 SLC) leadoff hitter Bryce Fontenot hit the first pitch he saw from Southeastern (12-10, 4-2 SLC) starting pitcher Luke Barbier in the bottom of the first inning out of the ballpark on the way to a five-run inning.
 
The Cowboys added two more runs in the second and SLU spent the remainder of the game trying to erase the deficit.
 
Southeastern shaved a couple of runs off the 7-0 deficit in the third and fourth.
 
Blaise Priester led off the third with a single through the right side of the infield. After Mo Little was hit by a one-out pitch, Ben Robichaux pulled an RBI double down the right-field line.
 
In the fourth, Connor Cuff led off the inning with a single up the middle. Justin Williams followed with a double down the right-field line. Cuff scored on Alex Perry's RBI groundout to short.
 
McNeese starting pitcher Cooper Golden (2-2) earned the win, allowing a pair of runs over 8.0 innings of work. Barbier (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing four runs – all earned – in 0.1 innings pitched.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Lakin Polk (2-1, 4.62), a senior right-hander from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, draws the starting assignment for Saturday's contest opposite McNeese senior right-hander Eric Nachtsheim (3-1, 1.91).
 
Fans can listen to all the Southeastern (12-9, 4-2 SLC) baseball action locally on KSLU 90.9 The Lion or worldwide 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.