Freshmen shine in fall baseball finale for Southeastern

HAMMOND, La. – Freshmen TJ Salvaggio and Andrew Yuratich stepped into the spotlight Tuesday as the Mamou Mambas won 6-3 in the decisive third game of the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball program’s annual Heart of a Lion Fall World Series at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Salvaggio blasted a second-inning grand slam that wiped out an early 2-0 lead by the Yellow Hammers (1-2) and Yuratich struck out five of the seven batters he faced in relief before handing the ball over to closer Dalton Aspholm in the ninth.

Designated hitter Champ Artigues put the Yellow Hammers in front in the top of the second inning, following Preston Faulkner’s single with an RBI triple into the gap in right-center field. Artigues scored on Nick Ray’s sacrifice fly to center.

In the bottom of the inning, a walk and back-to-back hit batters to open the frame loaded the bases for the freshman from Slidell, Louisiana. Following a conference on the mound, Salvaggio yanked the first pitch he saw out to left field.

Tyler Finke provided another run in the second, putting the Mamou Mambas (2-1) up by three. Finke beat out an infield single and advanced to second base on a throwing error. He stole third and scored on yet another throwing error.

Faulkner pulled the Hammers back within a pair, leading off the fourth with a solo home run. It was his team-leading fifth homer of the fall.

From that point forward, Mamba pitching locked down the lead. Trey Harrington allowed just one hit over the next three innings following Faulkner’s blast. Yuratich, the right-hander from Livingston, Louisiana, retired all seven batters he faced and Aspholm picked up the final two outs to close it out.

Brock Batty (2-2) picked up the win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Mamba starting pitcher Lance Lauve.

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 visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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