vs
Alumni Field, Hammond, LA
Game 1: 6:00 PM Friday Feb 19
Game 2: 2:00 PM Saturday Feb 20
Game 3: 1:00 PM Sunday Feb 21
The Southeastern Lions open up the 2010 season this weekend with a three game series against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:00pm.
For the third consecutive year the Lions will be opening the season with Eastern Illinois in Hammond. In 2008 SLU swept the series by out scoring the Panthers 22-9 over three games. Last season Eastern Illinois took two out of three from the Lions by winning on Friday 9-6 and Sunday 5-1. SLU won the Saturday game 8-6.
Both the Lions and Panthers will be playing the 2010 season with something to prove to the NCAA selection committee, as both teams feel they were snubbed on a postseason bid last year. What better way to build their 2010 NCAA resume then by notching a series win over each other.
The Lions, coming off of 37-22 season in 2009, will look to jump out to a fast start in the 2010 season. Coach Jay Artigues welcomes back 6 of his 8 position starters from a lineup that hit .305 and had an on-base percentage of .389. Anchoring the lineup will junior OF Cass Hargis (.317, 12 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 32 RBI), junior C/3B Josh Cryer (.309, 16 2B, 4 HR, 39 RBI) and junior 1B Joe Sparacino (.339, 17 2B, 1 HR, 43 RBI). Looking to pick up where he left off will be senior OF Phil Freeman (.343 in 40 games), who came through down the stretch last season when Brian McCants went down with an injury. Newcomer Jeff Harkensee, a junior transfer from Mesa Community College in Arizona, is expected to make an impact hitting in the middle of the order.
The SLU pitching staff will have plenty of reliable arms. The weekend rotation of Ryan Boudreaux (6-4, 5.03 ERA, 55 K), Brandon Jefferson (5-5, 5.07 ERA, 68 K) and Josh Janway (4-2, 4.50 ERA, 33 K), along with All-American closer Chris Franklin (5-2, 2.60 ERA, 12 SV) returns. Also looking to increase their workload will be Taylor Wax (1.69 ERA in 4 appearances) and Justin Schneider (1-0, 1SV). RHP Tanner Lorrenz, a transfer from Iowa Western, and RHP Tyler Watkins, a transfer from Pearl River Community College, will both look to push for a starting spot.
Eastern Illinois, the pre-season favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference, will bring with them one of nation’s top pitchers in junior RHP Josh Mueller (8-1, 4.85 ERA). Baseball America list Mueller as the number 2 ranked pro prospect in the OVC. And their Saturday and Sunday guys will be pretty tough too as RHP Mike Recchia (8-2, 3.02 ERA) and RHP Mike Hoekstra round out the rotation.
At the plate the Panthers will be lead by DH Richie Derbak (.417, 5 HR, 41 RBI), OF Zach Borenstein (.394, .506 OB%, 28 RBI), and 1B Jake Samuels (.345, 28 RBI).
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