BATON ROUGE – Southeastern Louisiana, ranked No. 26 by Collegiate Baseball, got out to an early 5-0 advantage and never surrendered the lead, winning 8-5 win over Southern at Lee-Hines Field. The win moves the Lions to 12-1 on the season entering this weekend’s conference opener.

Pitcher Jordan Hymel (2-0) earned the win in his first collegiate start. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out two Jaguars. Josh Janway picked up his third save, striking out one while holding SU hitless and scoreless in the final frame.

Southeastern scored three runs in the top of the first. With one out, Jeff Harkensee delivered a double to bring home Justin Boudreaux, who had been hit by a Chase Richard pitch. Three batters later, working with two gone, Philip Freeman smacked a single to left, scoring Harkensee and Cody Gougler.

The visitors extended their lead in the top of the third. Cass Hargis started the frame with a single to center. Boudreaux followed that with a home run to left, his second of the season, which made the score 5-0 Southeastern.

Southern was able to shrink the deficit over the next couple of innings. David Nolting delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth, and then Demario Ellis provided a solo long ball in the fifth.

Josh Cryer put the Lions on the scoreboard again in the top of sixth with a solo home run over the wall in left center, his first of the year.

The Jaguars countered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With reliever Justin Schneider on the bump, Frazier Hall singled and Curtis Wilson doubled to begin the inning. Both came home on consecutive wild pitches, pulling the Jaguars within one, 6-5. Southern had a chance pull even, but Southeastern was able to pull an unconventional double play. Diomedes Gonzales grounded to third baseman Chris Franklin, who threw home to retire David Nolting, then catcher Chad Gough-Fortenberry rifled one to second baseman Brock Hebert, who applied a tag on Gregory Whitfield. Demario Ellis proceeded to pop out to end the threat.

Southeastern added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth, both coming with two men out. Boudreaux completed a fantastic night at the plate with a double to left center, scoring Hargis. Harkensee followed that up with a two bagger of his own, allowing Boudreaux to come around.

The Lions open Southland Conference action Friday, playing the first of three home games against UTSA.

courtesy Southeastern Media Relations