SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team returns to the Lone Star State for the second consecutive week as it begins a three-game Southland Conference series on Friday at league leader Texas State.

First pitch for Friday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The series continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. before concluding Sunday at 1. All three games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.

Southeastern (23-11, 9-6 SLC), which was picked to finish second in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll, has won eight of its last 10 games that included a pair of league series against Lamar and UT Arlington. The Lions took two of three last weekend at UTA before posting a 10-4 victory over Southern on Tuesday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

Justin Boudreaux leads Southeastern in hitting with a .377 average while ranking second in home runs (6) and RBI (31). Brock Hebert (.369-1-21), Jonathan Pace (.356-1-24), Jeff Harkensee (.326-7-40), Josh Cryer (.303-2-24), Cass Hargis (.289-0-13) and Cody Gougler (.269-1-16) are next at the plate for Southeastern, which enters the series with a .294 average with 222 runs scored.

Southeastern, which has a team ERA of 3.33, will send right-hander Brandon Efferson (5-2, 4.27 ERA) to the mound in Friday's opener before right-hander Tyler Watkins (6-0, 1.80 ERA) gets the start on Saturday. Southeastern's starter in Sunday's finale is to be announced.

Texas State (21-11, 11-4 SLC) dropped four of its last five games before defeating Houston Baptist, 3-2, in 13 innings on Tuesday. The Bobcats, who were picked first in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll, open a four-game homestand that concludes with a Monday night contest against Texas Tech.

Tyler Sibley leads the Bobcats at the plate with a .394 average and 14 stolen bases. Jeff McVaney (.353-6-27), Kyle Kubitza (.302-4-32) and Casey Kalenkosky (.296-12-40) are the top hitters for Texas State, which is averaging .293 at the plate with 34 home runs and 234 runs scored.

Texas State will send right-hander Carson Smith (5-1, 1.76 ERA) to the mound in Friday's opener with right-hander Mitchell Pitts (3-0, 4.96 ERA) slated to pitch on Saturday. In the finale, the Bobcats will send southpaw Colton Turner (5-1, 4.95 ERA) to the mound.

After facing the Bobcats, Southeastern will return to action with a midweek contest on Tuesday at in-state rival Tulane.