Southeastern run-rules Nicholls, pull within half-game of first place in Southland

THIBODAUX, La. – Southeastern Louisiana run-ruled Nicholls, 11-1 in seven innings, Saturday in the Southland Conference series finale at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.

The Lions (21-19, 12-6 Southland) pulled within a half-game of first-place Sam Houston State (22-15, 14-7 Southland) with the series-clinching victory over Nicholls (19-20, 10-11 Southland).

Nathan Pilutti, a senior outfielder from Destrehan, Louisiana, staked the Lions to an early lead, driving in a pair with a two-out double in the first inning.

Senior right-hander Mason Knopp (5-1) was efficient throughout the game, getting a pair of double plays turned behind him. He scattered three hits, two of them contributing to the Colonels’ second-inning run, in tossing a complete game.

The Lions broke open a pitchers’ duel in the fifth. Cody Grosse and Preston Faulkner picked up back-to-back singles to open up the inning. With runners on the corners, Trey Harrington pushed a squeeze bunt toward first base. Nicholls starting pitcher Jacob Bedevian (3-2) bobbled the ball and then threw wildly to first.

Pilutti followed with a ground ball to the right side, but Colonel second baseman Waylon LeBlanc dropped muffed the grounder. With the bases loaded, reliever Bryan Taylor hit Brennan Breaud with a pitch to force in a run and then walked designated hitter Jonathan Parker, forcing in another run.

Schimpf lined a two-run home run to right field in the sixth, his team-leading seventh of the season, to put the Lions up, 7-1. In the seventh, he provided the final margin of victory with a two-run single as the Lions plated four more runs against a parade of Colonel pitchers.

Knopp earned the win, allowing one run in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. Bedevian suffered the loss, allowing five runs – three earned – in 4.1 innings pitched.

Five Lions enjoyed multhit games as Southeastern pounded out 15 hits against six Nicholls pitchers. Grosse, Harrington and Schimpf picked up three hits apiece.

The run-rule conference victory was the first since Southeastern defeated Houston Baptist, 13-3, in seven innings April 30, 2016.

Southeastern wraps up its 14-game stretch against in-state competition Tuesday, traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana, for a 6:30 p.m. game at Tulane.

INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN BASEBALL WITH MATT RISER
A weekly 60-minute radio show, Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser airs Mondays at noon, during the season, from Blackened Brew in downtown Hammond. Riser joins host Allen Waddell at lunchtime to discuss the latest in Southeastern baseball and will be joined each week by select Lion players. Blackened Brew is located at 112 W. Thomas St.

The show airs on the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network, KSLU 90.9 FM, online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, Radio FX and TuneIn Radio apps. A live video stream of the show is also available via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/sluathletics.

LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The new Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

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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LINESCORE
Southeastern 11, Nicholls 1
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Southeastern…….. 200 032 4 – 11 15 1 (21-19, 12-6)
Nicholls…………….. 010 000 0 – 1 3 3 (19-20, 10-11)
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Pitchers: Southeastern – Knopp, Mason and Manola, Connor. Nicholls – Bedevian, Jacob; Taylor, Bryan (5); Kramer, Colin (5); White, Parker (6); Balado, Beau (7); Andrews, Brandon (7) and
Sandberg, Chris.

Win-Knopp, Mason (4-1) Loss-Bedevian, Jacob (3-2) T-2:29 A-601
HR SLU – Schimpf, Kyle (7).
Weather: 69, Sunny, NW 12mph
Taylor, B. faced 2 batters in the 5th.