HAMMOND, La. – Back-to-back hit batters led to a two-run rally in the seventh as the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team pulled off its third comeback victory of the season Wednesday, defeating No. 25-ranked Louisiana Tech, 4-3, at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Louisiana Tech (5-4) reliever Cade Hodges hit Tristan Welch and Connor Manola, the only two batters he faced, with pitches to open up the inning. New Bulldog reliever Greg Martinez induced a potential double-play ball out of Shea Thomas, but the Southeastern (4-5) third baseman beat the relay throw to first.
 
With runners on the corners, Bulldog catcher Jorge Corona attempted to pick Thomas off first and threw the ball down the right-field line. Welch scored to tie the game, 3-3, and Thomas advanced to third. Evan Keller put SLU back in front for good with a two-out single to center field, driving home Thomas with the eventual winning run.
 
Five Lion pitchers combined to hold Louisiana Tech to six hits in the game. Junior right-hander Reid Reynolds (1-1), who worked a scoreless seventh, earned the win. Graduate right-hander Gage Trahan earned his first save of the season, tossing two scoreless innings to close it out. Hodges (0-1) suffered the loss.
 
Southeastern took the lead in the third, breaking up a scoreless game on Tyler Finke's two-run double to left field.
 
The Bulldogs answered immediately, opening up the fourth with a single Steele Netterville and then a two-run home run by first baseman Walker Burchfield.
 
Louisiana Tech took its lead in the sixth thanks to a leadoff single, balk, groundout and wild pitch.
 
SLU snapped a three-game skid with the win and extended the Bulldogs losing streak to four games.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern's run against high-profile opponents continues into next week as the Lions head out on a four-game road trip. SLU travels to the No. 3-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (5-2) for a three-game series at Baum-Walker Stadium. Game times in Fayetteville, Arkansas are 3 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
The Lions wrap up the road trip with a rematch against the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m., March 9, at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, Louisiana.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
 
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.
 
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 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
  
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter, @LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.