Box Score
NATCHITOCHES, La. – For the second-consecutive game, a four-run inning proved to be Southeastern Louisiana's undoing as the Lions dropped a 5-1 game Friday at Northwestern State.
Both teams scored single runs in the first inning, but Northwestern State (16-24, 11-11 Southland) broke open the tie game in the fifth inning.
Joseph Koon (3-2) hit Kevin Sanford to open the bottom of the fifth. Mitch Huckabay, the Demons' ninth-place hitter, laid down a sacrifice bunt up the first-base line.
Jonathan Pace's throw hit the runner in the back, allowing Huckabay to reach safely. Drew Helenihi laid down another sac bunt, beating
Brett Hoffman's throw to load the bases.
Southeastern (28-15, 13-9 Southland) went to the bullpen for right-hander
Jason Greenleaf. The sophomore threw a wild pitch, allowing Sanford to score from third. After walking Will Watson, Greenleaf enticed Nick Hinojos into a comebacker. He tossed home for the force, but the bases remained loaded.
Greenleaf tossed another wild pitch, allowing Helenihi to score. Colin Bear doubled to right, driving in the final two runs of the game.
The Lions scored their lone run in the first inning.
Harry Slade singled to open the game and moved to second on
Ben Hernandez's sacrifice bunt. Slade scored on
Brock Hebert's conference-best 18th double of the season.
Hebert tied the Southeastern single-season stolen base record in the third inning when he swiped his 31st base of the season.
Junior left-hander
Jordan Hymel (5-3, 3.05) will start on the mound for the Lions in the second game of the series. He will be opposed by Demon sophomore right-hander Jacob Roark (2-4, 5.10).
First pitch Saturday is at 2 p.m. and the game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9). Live statistics, courtesy Northwestern State, will be available at www.LionSports.net and fans can also receive updates through Twitter by following @SLUathletics.
Line Score
Northwestern State 5, Southeastern La 1 (Apr 27, 2012 at Natchitoches, La.)
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Southeastern La....... 100 000 000 - 1 8 1 (28-15, 13-9 SLC)
Northwestern State.. 100 040 00X - 5 10 1 (16-24, 11-11 SLC)
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Pitchers: Southeastern La - Koon; Greenleaf (5); Manuel (5); Pittari (7); Keller (8) and Fisher, Roberson (8). Northwestern State - Melotakis; Scanio(6); Goldsmith(9) and Purdy.
Win-Melotakis(3-3) Loss-Koon, Joseph(3-2) T-2:38 A-489
E – Hoffman (5); Burns(10). DP - SLU 2; NSU 1. LOB - SLU 11; NSU 8. 2B - Hebert (18); Bear (10). HBP -Rhodes; Sanford. SH – Hernandez (15); Watson (6); Wallace (2); Huckabay (3). SB – Slade (11); Hebert (31).
Weather: Clear, windy, warm
