On Deck - Lions vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

VS

SLU Lions (3-0, 0-0) vs. Mississippi Valley State (0-3, 0-0)

Alumni Field, Hammond, LA
6:00 PM Tuesday Feb 23

Fresh off of an impressive three game series sweep of Eastern Illinois, the Southeastern Lions welcome the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils to “The Pat” for a mid-week match-up on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm.

Over the weekend the Lions won in dramatic come from behind fashion on Friday night. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Cody Gougler lined a single to right center for the 6-5 walk-off win over Eastern Illinois. Tyler Watkins, Justin Schneider, and Josh Janway were strong on the bump as they combined to give up only one earned run.

On Saturday the Lions were out hit by the Panthers 13-8, but SLU has some productive at bats and won the game going away 11-5. Cass Hargis led the way at the plate going 3-5 with 3 2B and 2 RBI. Jeff Harkensee was 2-3 with 2 RBI. Josh Cryer and Brock Hebert both added 2 RBI. After giving up 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning coach Jay Artigues got strong relief outings from freshmen Jordan Hymel and his All-American closer Chris Franklin, as they combined to collect 6 strikeouts (5 by Franklin) and surrender 1 run.

Once again SLU got a strong pitching performance as Brandon Efferson went 6 strong innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits to earn the win on Sunday. Josh Janway, who picked up the win on Friday night, pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief earning the save. Offensively the Lions were led by Cody Gougler who went 2-3 with 2 RBI.

The Lions will look to extend their winning streak against the Delta Devils, as they have won the last 5 meetings. Last year the Lions won game 1 in Hammond 8-1. In game 2 the Lions pounded out 17 hits, 11 of them going for extra bases in a 17-7 rout in Itta Bena, MS. During the 5 game winning streak SLU has out scored the Valley 65-15.

The Delta Devils are coming off of a weekend series sweep at the hands of Notre Dame in Mississippi. The Irish won by scores of 12-4, 8-3, and 19-3. Chris Norman led the Valley at the plate in the series going 3 for5 and Paul Olsen was 4 for 7.

Mississippi Valley State is the first of 5 SWAC opponents the Lions will play this year.