Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. – Stefan Lopez tied the Southland Conference career saves record and Southeastern Louisiana defeated South Alabama, 6-3.
The Lions wrapped up a season-long, eight-game road trip by winning their last three games and finished the swing with a winning record (5-3). It was their third consecutive win over the Jaguars.
Southeastern (31-15) scored a run in the second and added three more in the third, taking an early 4-0 lead over the Jaguars.
Alex Marse led off the third with a bunt single and moved to second on a throwing error by USA starter Jarrett Bailey (1-2).
Harry Slade followed with a single to put runners on the corners for Southeastern. Bailey then forced in a run by hitting
Ben Hernandez and
Brock Hebert back-to-back.
Jonathan Pace smashed a ball that kicked off of the third baseman for an error, allowing Slade to score.
Cody Gougler drove in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.
Josh Janway (3-3) picked up the win for the Lions.
Tanner Rainey,
Matt Pittari and
Dylan Hills all saw time on the mound. Rainey worked a career-long three innings in relief.
USA (18-27) scored single runs in the third and seventh innings. Southeastern added single runs in the fourth and ninth innings.
The Jaguars scored their final run in the ninth. Nolan Earley led off the inning with a double off the center-field wall. With two outs, cleanup hitter Jordan Patterson doubled to right-center. Earley scored to make the score 6-3 and set up a save situation.
Lopez retired the only batter he faced to preserve the win and pick up his 17th save of the season. The New Iberia native ties former Texas-San Antonio pitcher Zach Calhoon for the most career saves (27) in Southland Conference history. Lopez's next save will give him the career record outright and tie former Sam Houston State pitcher Luke Prihoda for the conference single-season record.
Southeastern returns home Friday to host Stephen F. Austin in a three-game Southland Conference series. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
Line Score
Southeastern La 6, South Alabama 3 (May 01, 2012 at Mobile, Ala.)
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Southeastern La..... 013 100 001 - 6 9 0 (31-15)
South Alabama...... 001 000 101 - 3 10 3 (18-27)
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Pitchers: Southeastern La - Janway; Rainey (4); Pittari (7); Hills (8); Lopez (9) and Fisher. South Alabama - Bailey; Fonzi (5) and Files.
Win-Janway (3-3) Save-Lopez (17) Loss-Bailey (1-2) T-2:40 A-1160
E – Dalken (11); Bailey 2(2). DP - USA 1. LOB - SLU 9; USA 11. 2B – Pace (11); Earley (12); Patterson (11). HBP - Hernandez; Hebert; Marse; Patterson. SH – Rhodes (7); Hoffman (4); Marse (4); Files (2). SF – Hernandez (3); Gougler (8). SB – Slade (12); Hernandez (4). Weather: 86; pt. cloudy; wind SSE @ 10
