HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana put together a five-run rally in the third and three more in the eighth for an 8-2 victory over HBU in the regular-season finale to split the Southland Conference series Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The Huskies outhit the Lions, 9-8, but left 10 on base. Senior third baseman Nathan Soriano went 2-for-4 and senior rightfielder Brandon Bena doubled and drove in a run. Senior second baseman Trent Franson went 1-for-3 and drove in a run.
Sophomore right-hander Tyler Zarella (0-7) took the loss for HBU, allowing five runs on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk in four innings. Sophomore Javan Smitherman tossed three shutout innings, did not allow a hit, struck out a pair, and walked one.
Preston Faulkner hit a grand slam and scored twice, while Brandon Hale had a two-run home run for the Lions. Tyler Finke went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run.
Kyle Bartley (4-1) picked up the win in relief, shutting the Huskies out on two hits while striking out two and walking one.
HBU finishes the season 14-38 overall and 11-27 in conference play, while SLU will host the Southland Conference Tournament beginning Wednesday in Hammond.
Team Statistics
- PITCHING
- W: Bartley, Kyle (4-1)
- L: T. Zarella (0-7)
Houston Baptist
- BATTING
- 2B: L. Botkin 1; B. Bena 1
- RBI: B. Bena 1; T. Franson 1
- BASERUNNING:
- RUNS: L. Botkin 1; J. Miller 1
- SB: J. Miller 1; S. Trinidad 1
- CS: B. Bales 1; N. Soriano 1
Southeastern
- BATTING:
- HR: Faulkner, Preston 1; Hale, Brandon 1
- RBI: Finke, Tyler 1; Faulkner, Preston 4; Garcia, Christian 1; Hale, Brandon 2
- SH: Garcia, Christian 1
- BASERUNNING:
- RUNS: Keller, Evan 1; Finke, Tyler 1; Faulkner, Preston 2; Garcia, Christian 1; Hale, Brandon 1; Johnson, Eli 1; Ray, Nick 1
- CS: Finke, Tyler 1