Memphis edges SLU to open series

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team dropped a tight game Friday, 4-3, to Memphis in the series opener at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Memphis (10-8) scored single runs in the fourth through seventh innings, surviving the back-and-forth affair that wound up tied three different times.

Southeastern (11-7) took the initial lead, scoring in the bottom of the first inning.

Rhett Rosevear led off with a single up the middle, advancing to second base on a ground out. Jake Killingsworth drove in Rosevear with a two-out, RBI single through the left side of the infield.

Lion starting pitched Brennan Stuprich made the lead stand up for the next couple of innings before the teams began trading runs.

Memphis tied the game in the fourth. Cleanup hitter Brayland Skinner doubled to left field before stealing third base. He scored on a two-out single up the middle.

SLU regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the inning. Clay Cook, a junior outfielder from Mize, Mississippi led off with a double inside the third-base bag. He scored on a two-out, RBI single up the middle.

The Tigers came right back to tie it up in the fifth. A one-out walk and an errant pickoff attempt put the leadoff hitter in scoring position. He scored from second on a two-out, RBI single to right field of the glove of a diving Cook.

Southeastern took the lead back, 3-2, in the bottom of the inning. TJ Salvaggio, a sophomore shortstop from Slidell, Louisiana drew a two-out walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Connor Manola plated him with an RBI single through the left side.

Memphis jumped on Stuprich, leading off the sixth with a solo home run down the right-field line to tie the game once again.

A one-out single in the seventh and back-to-back walks issued by reliever Aaron Hosack loaded the bases. Third baseman Logan Kohler, who tied the game with his third homer of the season the previous inning, lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the go-ahead run.

Lance Lauve closed out the game with a pair of scoreless innings of relief work, keeping the game tight but Manola’s RBI single in the fifth proved to be the last Lion baserunner of the game.

Memphis reliever JT Durham (2-1) earned the win, working three scoreless innings and striking out three batters. Dalton Kendrick earned his fifth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth. Hosack (1-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing one run on one hit. He walked two and struck out one.

Since starting the season with seven consecutive wins, the Lions have gone 4-7 and have dropped their last four home games.

UP NEXT
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. Fans can play the popular Baseball Bingo game.

Junior right-hander Will Kinzeler (3-0, 2.42) draws the starting assignment for the Lions while Memphis will counter with senior left-hander Dalton Fowler (1-2, 4.87).

Saturday’s game will be carried on ESPN+. Live stats will be available online at www.LionSports.net and in the Lions Gameday Experience app. Fans can also receive in-game updates on Twitter by following the @LionUpBaseball account.

TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION
General admission tickets for most games are $9 for adults and $6 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.

The Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office is currently accepting cash only. 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 will open two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch this week to accommodate fans.