Five-run 5th kick starts Southeastern’s 12-3 win at McNeese

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team broke open a pitcher’s duel in the fifth inning, pushing across five runs on the way to a, 12-3, Southland Conference victory Saturday over McNeese at Joe Miller Ballpark.

Southeastern (22-20, 4-10 SLC) added three runs in both the eighth and ninth to push the game out of reach, forcing a split of the series with the Cowboys (20-21, 4-10 SLC).

Dakota Lee (1-3) tossed a season-high 7.0 innings of two-run baseball, scattering five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out four on the way to earning his first win of the season.

Jake Killingsworth singled to lead off the fourth, picking up the Lions’ first hit of the game. After McNeese starting pitcher Alexis Gravel hit TJ Salvaggio with a pitch, the Cowboys went to the bullpen for right-hander Kainin Morrow. A fielder’s choice and a pop-out later, Christian Garcia doubled down the left-field line to plate Killingworth.

The Cowboys tied up the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-out, solo home run by designated hitter Parker Stroh.

SLU answered immediately.

Parker Coley led off the fifth with a towering blast to left. The solo shot was his first of the game and fifth of the season. With two outs, Killingsworth singled to left and Salvaggio drew a walk, forcing Morrow from the game. Reliever Zach Voss hit Jake Haze with a pitch to load the bases. Bailyn Sorensen then worked a walk, forcing in a run.

Following a trip to the mound, Garcia drove a two-run single up the middle and Sorensen scored on a wild pitch.

Lee backed up the offensive outburst by retiring the side in order in the bottom of the inning.

A leadoff double by Stroh led to a McNeese run in the seventh.

Sorensen reached on an error by the third baseman to open up the eighth. After Garcia doubled, Sorensen scored on an RBI ground out by Cole Stromboe. Coley followed with his second homer of the game.

The Cowboys added a run in the eighth on a solo home run, but Southeastern responded with three more runs again.

Killingsworth and Salvaggio rapped back-to-back singles to open up the ninth. Following a sac bunt by Jake Haze, Sorensen plated the first run on a groundout and Salvaggio scored on a wild pitch. Garcia drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Stromboe’s triple down the right-field line.

SLU pounded out double-digit hits for the fourth straight game, one shy of a season-high. Coley (2-for-5), Garcia (3-for-4) and Killingsworth (3-for-5) all turned in multi-hit performances at the plate.

UP NEXT
The series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. with TV coverage on ESPN+. SLU will send sophomore right-hander Lakin Polk (4-2, 4.13) to the mound opposite Cowboy sophomore right-hander Caleb Strmiska (0-1, 6.39).

Fans can 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 12, McNeese 3 (Apr 27, 2024 at Lake Charles, La.)
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Southeastern …….. 000 150 033 – 12 10 0 (22-20, 4-10)
McNeese …………. 000 100 110 – 3 7 1 (20-21, 4-10)
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Pitchers: Southeastern – Lee, Dakota; Rodriguez, Jackson (8) and Sorensen, Bailyn. McNeese – Gravel, Alexis; Morrow, Kainin (4); Voss, Zach (5); Carr, David (8); Kennedy, Clay (9) and Mangrum, Grant.

Win-Lee, Dakota (1-3) Loss-Morrow, Kainin (3-2) T-2:37 A-1061
HR SLU – Coley, Parker 2 (6).
HR MCN – Stroh, Parker (2); Mangrum, Grant (3).
Weather: 85, 20 mph W SSE
GRAVEL faced 2 batters in the 4th.