Southeastern snaps skid, splits doubleheader at Northwestern State

NATCHITOCHES, La. – After falling, 2-0, in the opening game of a doubleheader at Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 win in the nightcap at Brown-Stroud Field.

The series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. Northwestern State (18-15, 7-7 Southland) will start junior right-hander Nathan Jones (1-3, 3.69) and the Lions will counter with redshirt junior right-hander Kade Granier (2-2, 4.18).

Southeastern (25-14, 12-5 Southland) sits 2.5 games back of Sam Houston State in the Southland Conference standings.

The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through either the Radio FX or TuneIn apps. Fans can also keep up with all the action through streaming video, live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

GAME ONE: Northwestern State 2, Southeastern 0
The Demons broke through in a classic pitcher’s duel with a solo home run off the bat of right fielder Austin Townsend leading off the fifth inning.

Southeastern broke up the no-hit bid of Demon starting pitcher Ridge Heisler in the sixth on Drew Avans one-out single, but the Lions would leave him in scoring position.

Northwestern State added another run in the bottom half of the inning.

After doubling to leadoff the inning, Luke Watson advanced to third on a groundout and scored with two outs on a wild pitch by reliever Trey Shaffer.

Heisler (4-2) allowed just two hits on his way to the complete-game shutout. Josh Green (5-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs in 5.2 innings of work.

GAME TWO: Southeastern 4, Northwestern State 1
After struggling offensively in the opener, the Lions wasted little time jumping out in front in the nightcap.

Cody Grosse tripled to right-center leading off the game. He scored when Nathan Pilutti followed with an RBI single to center field. Pilutti stole second base, advanced to third on a balk and scored on Trey Morgan’s sacrifice bunt.

Carlisle Koestler made the lead hold up, as he and Demon starting pitcher Jerry Maddux locked into the second pitcher’s duel of the day. After seven shutout innings, Koestler turned it over to the bullpen.

Peyton Lee worked a scoreless eighth, stranding a runner at third, and Southeastern added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth.

Trey Harrington knocked a one-out single to right and advanced to third when Brennan Breaud, who snapped an 0-for-19 drought at the plate, pulled a hit-and-run single through the right side. Harrington was nailed at the plate on a safety squeeze, but Evan Pace reached on the play. Center fielder Trey Shaffer lined a triple to left for the first hit of his career, driving in both Breaud and Pace.

The Demons picked up a run in the ninth off Jared Biddy, preventing the second shutout of the day, but Shaffer chased down a ball in the gap to end the game with a pair of runners on.

Koestler (6-1) picked up the win, scattering five hits and striking out seven. Maddux (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in six innings.

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.

(Apr 14, 2018 at Natchitoches, La.) (Game 1)
——————————————————————————–
Southeastern………… 000 000 000 – 0 2 0 (24-14, 11-5 SLC)
Northwestern State.. 000 011 00X – 2 4 2 (18-14, 7-6 SLC)
——————————————————————————–
Pitchers: Southeastern – Green, Josh; Shaffer, Trey (6) and Wasinger, Daniel. Northwestern State – Heisler, Ridge and Richard, Kelsey.

Win-Heisler, Ridge (4-2) Loss-Green, Josh (5-2) T-2:28 A-0
HR NWST – Townsend, Austin (1).
Weather: 59 and overcast, wind: 10 WNW

(Apr 14, 2018 at Natchitoches, La.) (Game 2)
——————————————————————————–
Southeastern………… 200 000 002 – 4 5 1 (25-14, 12-5 SLC)
Northwestern State.. 000 000 001 – 1 8 1 (18-15, 7-7 SLC)
——————————————————————————–
Pitchers: Southeastern – Koestler, Carlisle; Lee, Peyton (8); Biddy, Jared (9) and Pace, Evan. Northwestern State – Maddox, Jerry; Hodo, David (7) and Fry, David.

Win-Koestler, Carlisle (6-1) Loss-Maddox, Jerry (3-3) T-2:48 A-514
Weather: 59 and clear, wind: 10 WNW