Lions run-rule HCU in series opener

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team picked up a run-rule victory, 11-1, in seven innings Thursday against Houston Christian in the opening game of a Southland Conference series at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Southeastern (18-8, 3-1 SLC) rebounded from back-to-back losses quickly, batting around in the first inning and chasing HCU (7-18, 0-4 SLC) starting pitcher Nicholas Willard (2-3) from the game.

Justin Williams started the barrage with a one-out, line-drive single to center field. After Shea Thomas drew a walk, Ryan Brome blasted a three-run home run to right-center. It was the second of the season for the junior out of Katy, Texas.

Jake Haze followed with a single and TJ Salvaggio drew a walk, forcing the Huskies into their bullpen. Reliever Baylor Baumann walked Conner O’Neal to load the bases. Parker Coley grounded into what looked to be a possible double-play ball, but the shortstop was off the bag at second. Haze scored on the play. Cole Stromboe followed with his fifth sacrifice fly of the season, allowing Salvaggio to score from third.

The Lions tacked on two more runs in the third on solo homers by Salvaggio and Coley. Their fifth and third season, respectively.

Meanwhile, Brennan Stuprich was rolling through the HCU order. The reigning Southland pitcher of the week retired the first nine batters he faced and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.

Thomas drove in a pair of runs with a double in the sixth. He later scored on Salvaggio’s RBI single to right.

SLU scored its final run in the seventh. Coley led off the inning with a single. Following back-to-back walks, Williams delivered a bases-loaded single off the base of the wall in right-center to end the game.

Stuprich (3-2) earned the win, allowing one unearned run in six innings of work. He scattered two hits and three walks, striking out three batters. Willard suffered the loss, recording a just single out and allowing five runs.

Thomas (3-for-3), Williams (3-for-4), Coley (2-for-4) and Salvaggio (2-for-3) turned in mult-hit performances at the plate. For Salvaggio, it was his sixth straight multi-hit game.

UP NEXT
The series continues Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ featuring a pitching matchup of redshirt junior right-hander Dakota Lee (0-1, 5.40) for Southeastern and senior right-hander Parker Edwards (1-3, 7.16) for the Huskies.

Fans can also listen to the game broadcasts in the Hammond area on 90.9 The Lion. 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.

TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are now on sale. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to minimize ticket lines on game days. Southeastern students are encouraged to contact the ticket office before the game to reserve theirs in advance.

General admission tickets for most games are $11 for adults and $8 for youth (ages 3-12). Southeastern students, with a university ID, and children under age 2 are admitted for free. Gameday parking is $5 per day for standard vehicles and $25 for RVs.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. The ticket booth at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens exactly one hour before the scheduled first pitch.

Southeastern uses mobile ticketing as the primary method for distributing tickets purchased online. Tickets will be available via text message or email in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors the safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.

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 11, HCU 1 (Mar 28, 2024 at Hammond, LA)
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HCU ……………….. 000 100 0 – 1 4 1 (7-18, 0-4 SLC)
Southeastern …….. 502 003 1 – 11 14 1 (18-8, 3-1 SLC)
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Pitchers: HCU – Willard, Nicholas; Baumann, Baylor (1); Gilley, Brayden (6) and LaRue, Dylan. Southeastern –
Stuprich, Brennan; Vosburg, Aiden (7) and O’Neal, Conner.

Win-Stuprich, Brennan (3-2) Loss-Willard, Nicholas (2-3) T-1:56 A-1343
HR SLU – Brome, Ryan (2); Salvaggio, TJ (5); Coley, Parker (3).
Weather: 71 Clear, N 8 mph