Stuprich, Rodriguez combine on three-hit shutout in conference opener

NATCHITOCHES, La. – Brenann Stuprich and Jackson Rodriguez combined to limit Northwestern State to three hits as the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team won its Southland Conference opener, 5-0, Friday at Brown-Stroud Field.

With the victory, Southeastern (16-6, 1-0 SLC) extended its winning streak to seven straight overall and four consecutive over the Demons (5-17, 0-1 SLC).

SLU jumped out in front in the first inning and never looked back.

Rhett Rosevear drew a leadoff walk, advancing to third on Ryan Brome’s two-out double to left-center field. Jake Haze, a former Northwestern State infielder, drove in both with a double into the gap in right-center.

The starting pitchers – Stuprich and Demon right-hander Chase Prestwich – then locked into a pitcher’s duel for the next 4.5 innings. Southeastern finally extended its lead in the sixth.

Brome drew a leadoff walk in the sixth, leading to Prestwich’s exit from the contest. Reliever Caleb Bunch retired the first two batters he faced before TJ Salvaggio lined the ball into the gap in right-center. Northwestern State right fielder Daniel Yong appeared to pull up short and the ball hit off his glove for a three-base error, scoring Brome.

Pinch-hitter Jake Killingsworth worked a walk and the Lions sent in Dane Watts as a pinch-runner. On a pickoff attempt, Bunch threw the ball down the line and Salvaggio trotted home to extend the SLU lead to 4-0.

Conner O’Neal led off the seventh with a solo home run to right-center. It was the second homer of the season for the junior from Waverly Hall, Georgia.

Stuprich (2-2) earned the win, allowing two hits and two walks in his seven-inning stint. He struck out five. Rodriguez logged the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Prestwich (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing three runs – two earned – in 5.0 innings pitched.

Salvaggio (2-for-4) and Shea Thomas (2-for-5) turned in multi-hit performances for the Lions.

UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. featuring a pitching matchup of redshirt junior right-hander Dakota Lee (0-1, 5.32) for Southeastern and senior right-hander Dawson Flowers (1-1, 6.64) for the Demons. The game will be carried on ESPN+.

Fans can also listen to the game broadcasts in the Hammond area on 90.9 The Lion. In addition, an audio stream is available online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, TuneIn and MyTuner Radio apps. Both the TuneIn and MyTuner apps are compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most late-model automobiles. Search for KSLU 90.9 FM in the TuneIn app.

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 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.

LINE SCORE
Southeastern 5, Northwestern State 0 (Mar 22, 2024 at Natchitoches, La.)
—————————————————————————
Southeastern …………. 200 002 010 – 5 9 1 (16-6, 1-0)
Northwestern State … 000 000 000 – 0 3 2 (5-17, 0-1)
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Pitchers: Southeastern – Stuprich, Brennan; Rodriguez, Jackson (8) and O’Neal, Conner. Northwestern State – Prestwich, Chase; Bunch, Caleb(6) and Willis, Bo.

Win-Stuprich, Brennan (2-2) Loss-Prestwich, Chase (2-3) T-2:18 A-923
HR SLU – O’Neal, Conner (2).
Weather: 58 and cloudy. Wind: 9 NW
Prestwich, C faced 1 batter in the 6th.