HAMMOND, La. – A nine-run explosion in the fourth inning Friday powered the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team to a 13-3, run-rule victory over Grambling in seven innings at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Southeastern (7-7) picked up its third straight win, and fifth in the last six games, rallying from an early 3-1 deficit against the Tigers (3-10).
 
A bases-loaded walk in the third set the stage for the big inning, pulling the Lions within a run.
 
SLU sent 13 batters to the plate in the fourth, producing its largest single-inning output in just over two seasons.
 
Grambling starting pitcher Keevyn Goss walked the first three batters of the inning before yielding to reliever Payton Allen. Lion first baseman Brody Capps greeted Allen by launching a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left-center field for a grand slam. It was the fifth home run of the season for Capps.
 
Three batters later, after a pair of singles by Peyton Woods and Connor Cuff, third baseman Alex Perry hit a sinking liner to center. Tiger center fielder Martavius Thomas dove, but the ball sailed past him and rolled to the wall. Perry scored easily, hitting Southeastern's first inside-the-park home run since Cody Gougler accomplished the feat on March 5, 2010, against Texas Southern.
 
Solo homers by Connor Cuff and Ben Robichaux followed in the fifth and sixth, respectively.
 
SLU pounded out double-digit hits for the third time in as many games, finishing with 15. Robichaux (3-for-4), Cuff (2-for-4), Licciardi (2-for-4), Perry (2-for-3) and Williams (2-for-4) contributed multiple hits to the offensive effort.
 
Logan Freche (1-2), a freshman from Loranger, Louisiana, earned the win in relief. The right-hander tossed two scoreless innings, surrendering one hit and a pair of walks. He struck out three batters. Goss (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing five runs – all earned – in 3.0 innings pitched.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader on ESPN+. The first game is slated to start at 10 a.m. Fans will be able to play baseball bingo, with the first 25 winners claiming a prize.
 
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.