Gaconi pitches complete game as SLU takes series at UCA

CONWAY, Ark. – For the second time in as many starts, Southeastern Louisiana junior Corey Gaconi tossed a complete game as the Lions defeated Central Arkansas, 5-1, Sunday at Bear Stadium.

Gaconi’s effort clinched the series against the Bears (31-20, 17-10 Southland), keeping Southeastern (34-19, 21-9 Southland) 1.5 games back of first-place Sam Houston State in the conference standings.

The right-hander from Metairie, Louisiana scattered seven hits and three walks, striking out six. Gaconi (6-1) picked up his fifth consecutive win and now has three complete games this season.

Southeastern fell one hit short of double digits, snapping a string of four-in-a-row with at least 10 hits. Brennan Breaud (2-for-4), Evan Pace (2-for-4) and Nathan Pilutti (2-for-5) each turned in multi-hit performances. Pace drove in a pair, homering for the second time in as many games.

The Lions struck first in the series finale, taking advantage of early wildness by Central Arkansas starting pitcher Mark Moyer to pick up three runs in the second inning without a base hit.

Moyer (5-5), who was charged with the loss, issued consecutive walks to Kyle Schimpf, Mike Taylor and Taylor Schwaner to open up the frame. Pace chopped a ball to third base and Bears third baseman Rigo Aguilar attempted to cut down Schimpf at the plate, but catcher William Hancock dropped the ball as he attempted to keep his foot on the plate.

Breaud plated Taylor, grounding into a fielder’s choice that erased Pace at second base. Seeing an opportunity to grab an extra base on the defense, Breaud broke for second base. As the shortstop chased down Breaud for an out, Schwaner scored from third.

Southeastern loaded the bases in the fifth, scoring on Schimpf’s ground ball to first.

The Bears snapped Gaconi’s scoreless streak at 14 innings in the bottom of the fifth.

After center fielder Michael Haun drew a leadoff walk, Hancock singled up the middle. With runners on the corners, Gaconi got second baseman T.J. Black to ground into a double play. Haun scored from third on the play.

Pace completed the scoring with a solo homer to left, his third of the season, with two out in the eighth.

Southeastern, which completed its 2018 Southland slate Sunday, picked up at least 20 conference wins for the fourth straight season and can finish no worse than second. The Lions could still share the title and claim the top overall seed in the upcoming Southland tournament if upstart Incarnate Word sweeps Sam Houston this coming weekend.

The regular season winds down for Southeastern this week with home games Tuesday against South Alabama, and Thursday and Friday against No. 20-ranked Houston. All three games at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field are scheduled for 6 p.m.

TICKETS
Single game tickets for Lion home games can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466.

General Admission tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Tax is included in the price of admission. Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card.

Students, campus organizations and fans can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.

MATT RISER SHOW
The Matt Riser Show presented by North Oaks Health System airs Monday at 7 p.m. from Buddies’ Bar & Grill.

Hosted by Allen Waddell, the weekly show can be heard on flagship station KSLU 90.9 FM, in addition to Southeastern Sports Radio Network affiliates Kajun 107.1 FM, the Highway 104.7 FM and WFPR 1400 AM.

The show is also available through both the Radio FX and TuneIn apps or online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive. Video of the show will be archived on Southeastern’s Facebook page, /SLUathletics.

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. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.