Granier returns for SLU in 7-2 win over Alcorn

HAMMOND, La. – Kade Granier returned to the mound Tuesday for the first time in 11 months, shutting down the Alcorn State hitters as Southeastern Louisiana picked up a 7-1 win at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Southeastern (3-1) bounced back from a loss in Sunday’s series finale against SIU-Edwardsville, knocking off the Braves (2-2).

Granier (1-0) struck out a career-high nine batters in his return from an injury that cost him the final two-and-a-half months of the 2017 season.

The Lion hitters gave the redshirt junior from Destrehan, Louisiana, some early breathing room.

Right fielder Mike Taylor, a junior from Tampa, Florida, smashed a solo home run to left field leading off the second inning. It was Taylor’s first homer as a Lion.

Alcorn starting pitcher Jahborus Smith (0-1) walked the next batter, first baseman Kyle Schmipf, before Bryce Steckler laid down a sacrifice bunt. With Schimpf in scoring position, Smith hit catcher Evan Pace with a pitch. The pair pulled off a double steal and then Smith hit designated hitter Preston Faulkner with a pitch to load the bases.

Shortstop Brennan Breaud, a junior from Norco, Louisiana, ripped an RBI single through the right side, driving home Schimpf. Pace would score on a fielder’s choice grounder off the bat of second baseman Cody Grosse.

Leading 3-0, Southeastern added a pair in the third.

Taylor ripped a one-out double and then scored on Schimpf’s single to right field. A bad throw to the plate allowed Schimpf to take second on the play. Steckler, a junior from Redmond, Washington, then ripped an RBI triple over the head of the center fielder.

As Granier continued to roll through several shutout frames, the Lions added single runs in the fifth and sixth. Alcorn would reach the bullpen for a run in the eighth off a pinch-hit double.

Granier earned the win, allowing four hits and a pair of walks in his six-inning stint. Smith was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs in four innings of work.

Trey Shaffer, Gage Pickett and Peyton Lee each worked an inning to close out the game for the Lions. Shaffer fanned the side in his scoreless inning.

Taylor (3-for-3) led the Lions at the plate, falling a triple shy of the cycle. He drove in a pair and scored twice.

Southeastern hosts No. 20-ranked UL Lafayette (1-2) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, beginning a stretch of five-consecutive games against ranked opponents.

The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through the TuneIn Radio app (search for KSLU). Fans can also keep up with the game through live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter.

Streaming video is available through LionVision, Southeastern’s subscription-based video stream.

Wednesday’s game against the Ragin’ Cajuns is a Cane’s Challenge contest. If Southeastern scores four runs or more versus UL Lafayette, fans can take their game ticket or student coupon to their local participating Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers by the end of the business Thursday to receive a free combo with the purchase of another of equal or greater value.

Links for audio, video, stats, gameday promotions and tickets are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

TICKETS
Single game tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466.

All home games are available except the matchup with No. 9-ranked LSU. Tickets to that game will only be available for purchase by Diamond Club members and current baseball season ticket holders until Feb. 21.
General Admission tickets for Lion home games 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 and campus organizations can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.

Fans interested in joining the Diamond Club can do so by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at (985) 549-5091.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @Lions_Baseball on Twitter, @SLU_LionsBaseball on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel to keep up with the latest on Southeastern baseball.

Southeastern 7, Alcorn State 1
(Feb 20, 2018 at Hammond, La.)
———————————————————————-
Alcorn State…….. 000 000 010 – 1 5 1 (2-2)
Southeastern…….. 032 011 00X – 7 8 0 (3-1)
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Pitchers: Alcorn State – Smith, Jahborus; Thomas, Brandon (5); Key, Devon (6) and Jenkins, Kyle. Southeastern – Granier, Kade; Shaffer, Trey (7); Pickett, Gage (8); Lee, Peyton (9) and Pace, Evan.

Win-Granier, Kade (1-0) Loss-Smith, Jahborus (0-1) T-2:30 A-1140
HR SLU – Taylor, Mike.
Weather: Partly Cloudy 75, SSE 10 mph