The Southeastern Lions jumped out to an early lead on way to a 11-7 victory Saturday over the McNeese Cowboys in Saturday’s deciding game of the Southland Conference Championship Series.
With the win, SLU earned the conference’s automatic berth into a NCAA Regional.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SLU struck first in the top of the first.
Rhett Rosevear was hit by a pitch and then Preston Faulkner singled up the middle. Shea Thomas lifted a pitch from Chance Stone down the right field line which brought home one run. Tyler Finke then doubled down the left field line to bring home another run.
SLU added to its lead in the fourth.
Rosevear led off the inning with a single, stole second base and then advanced to third on an error. Two batters later, Thomas struck out swinging but a wild pitch allowed Rosevear to score.
McNeese got on the board in the bottom frame.
Brad Burckel led off with a double to left centerfield and scored on a single by Josh Leslie.
SLU extended its lead in the sixth.
Finke drove in Faulkner with a two-out single into right field. After Foster hit a batter and walked another five pitches, the Cowboys pitcher walked Tristan Welch which brought in another runner.
McNeese got a run back with a solo home run by Burckel in the bottom of the sixth.
After SLU added two runs in the seventh, McNeese responded with a pair of runs in the bottom frame. Payton Harden had a RBI single and Braden Duhon scored a on ground out. SLU added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth. McNeese scored three in the bottom frame, including a two-run homer by Burckel, but the rally fell short.
BIG NUMBER: 11
McNeese’s seven pitchers in Saturday’s game put on a total of 11 SLU base runners through walks and hit batters. The Cowboys walked 9 hitters, and hit two more.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: PRESTON FAULKNER
A night after helping lead the Lions to a win, the Lions first baseman went 3-for-5 with three runs scored in Saturday’s victory.