Monday, May 7, 2012

Walk-Off Win Clinches Series for the Lions

Junior OF Alex Marse hit a bases loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to give the SLU Lions a huge walk-off series clinching win over Stephen F. Austin at The Pat on Sunday afternoon.  The 12-11 victory over the Lumberjacks moves the Lions to 33-16 overall and 17-10 in the Southland Conference.  The Lions win, coupled with Sam Houston's loss to Texas-Arlington, moves SLU within three games of the Bearkats in the league standings, as they head to Huntsville this weekend.

The wild finish on Sunday was only fitting for a weekend series that had c-r-a-z-y written all over it.  The Lions won on Friday night 4-3, as both teams combined for 19 hits.  Stefan Lopez put his name in the SLC record books becoming the league's All-Time Saves King, as he slammed the door shut on SFA and picked up his 28th career save.   Dylan Hills, working exclusively out the bullpen this season, grabbed his team leading 8th win.  His eight wins ranks 2nd in the conference this season.

On Saturday the Lions got a stellar pitching performance from freshman Andro Cutura.  Cutura, returning from an injury, surrendered two runs on seven hits and struck out four over 7.2 solid innings.  The Lions put up 12 hits and SFA committed three errors, but a couple of base running blunders costs the Lions in the 5-3 extra inning loss.

And it was Sunday Funday at The Pat on Sunday afternoon.  There was sunshine.  There was rain.  SFA had a seven run 3rd inning.  The Lions had a seven run 6th inning.  Both teams combined for 23 runs and 27 hits.  There were five lead changes.  The Lumberjacks turned a 5-4-3-2 triple play.  The Lumberjacks committed three errors in the bottom of the 9th.  And to the delight of the Lion Nation SLU scored two runs in the bottom of ninth to win the game 12-11, as Marse hit a bases loaded sacrifice fly to LF.  To complete the craziness....the newly crowned SLC All-Time Saves King picked up the win. 

Just another day in the Southland Conference.

Game 1
SFA  010 011 000 - 3 9 0
SLU  101 100 10X - 4 10 0

WP - Dylan Hills (8-2)
LP - Chase Greening (4-5)
Save - Stefan Lopez (18)

Top Hitters:
Harry Slade 2-4, 2B, 2 Runs
Cody Gougler 2-4, 2B RBI

Game 2
SFA  001 000 011 2 - 5 13 3
SLU  100 000 002 0 - 3 12 0

WP - Alex Moshier (4-0)
LP - Dylan Hills (8-3)
Save - None

Top Hitters:
Brett Hoffman 2-3
Brock Hebert 2-4, RBI, BB, SB
Cody Gougler 2-4, 2 2B
Harry Slade 2-5, 2 Runs

Game 3
SFA  007 011 110 - 11 14 3
SLU  012 007 002 - 12 13 1

WP - Stefan Lopez (1-1)
LP - Justin Choate (0-5)
Save - None

Top Hitters:
Jacob Fisher 3-3, 2B, RBI, HBP, SH, Run
Michael Rutland 2-3, RBI, BB, Run, SB
Ladd Rhodes 2-4, RBI, BB, 2 Runs
Jonathan Pace 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 Runs
Harry Slade 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 Runs
Brock Hebert 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, Run, HBP

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