Stuprich, bats fuel Southeastern past UNO in SLC Tournament opener

HAMMOND — A year removed from missing the postseason altogether, No. 6 Southeastern made an emphatic statement Wednesday night in its return to the Southland Baseball Championship.

The Lions opened their campaign at the 2024 tournament with several impressive contributions across the diamond. proving too much for No. 3 New Orleans in a 10-2 opening-round victory.

Brennan Stuprich painted an impressive performance on the mound for the Lions, going seven innings while allowing two runs and eight hits and striking out six batters to earn the win. Ryan Delorbe lasted four innings for the Privateers, fanning six and conceding four runs on three hits in the loss.

Southeastern’s offense utilized the long ball at Alumni Field, namely off the bat of Jude Hall who finished with two hits and four RBI, coming from two separate two-run home runs. Jake Haze had two hits and two walks along with several strong plays on defense.

The Lions scored 10 unanswered runs from the second inning until the final out in the group’s second win over the Privateers this season.

Alexander Saunier highlighted New Orleans’ efforts at the dish with a final line of three-of-four on three singles.

Mitchell Sanford opened the scoring in the bottom of the first after reaching on an error. First-Team All-Conference catcher Miguel Useche would reach on that at bat and eventually scored after Bryce Calloway lifted a single to left center. The Privateers took a 2-0 lead but would not score the rest of the way.

Jude Hall drilled his first two-run blast to right center, tying the game at 2-2 and his encore in the fourth sent another shot over centerfield wall to make the score 4-2.

The six seed delivered its final blows in the sixth inning, beginning with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch that trickled in one run. Cole Stromboe followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Hall and Haze to bring the score to a 7-2 difference.

Parker Coley tallied another RBI single and Ryan Brome belted an RBI double for the final two runs.

Southeastern will fill the late-game slot once again with a matchup against defending champion No. 2 Nicholls. The Privateers look to stave off elimination against No. 7 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.