TUCSON, Ariz. – A late rally did not materialize as Southeastern Louisiana threatened late before ultimately dropping its series opened to No. 19-ranked Arizona, 7-4, at Hi Corbett Field.
The Lions (3-1) fell behind early as Arizona (3-2) scored six runs in the first three innings, the big blow being an easily catchable ball dropping for a two-out, three-run triple in the first inning after multiple fielders lost track of it against the late evening sky.
Down 7-0 entering the sixth, Southeastern strung together a four-run inning to climb back into the game.
Wildcat starting pitcher Chase Silsbeth (2-0) hit Bryce Grizzaffi with a pitch to open the inning before the Lions started the third time through the batting order. Evan Keller laced a single through the right side of the infield and then Champ Artigues lined an RBI double into the left-center field gap.
Preston Faulkner singled up the middle, plating both Keller and Artigues. After a sacrifice bunt and a fly out advanced Faulkner to third base, he came home to score on Christian Garcia’s two-out single.
Southeastern put a pair of runners on in each of the final three innings but was unable to capitalize on its opportunities.
Silsbeth earned the win, allowing four runs – all earned – in 6.2 innings pitched. The right-hander surrendered five hits and the pair of walks, striking out 10 batters. Preston Price worked a scoreless ninth to earn his first save, allowing two hits and striking out three.
Will Kinzeler (0-1), the Lions’ freshman starting pitcher, suffered the loss in his first collegiate start. The right-hander from Covington, Louisiana allowed seven runs, five earned, 4.1 innings of work.
The series continues Friday at 7 p.m. Junior left-hander Trey Shaffer (1-0, 0.00) takes the ball for Southeastern opposite freshman righty Chandler Murphy (0-0, 3.00) for the Wildcats.
Friday’s game can be heard in the Hammond area on the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network – KSLU 90.9 FM – in addition to online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via both the Lions Gameday Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
A video stream of the game will be broadcast through the Pac-12 Network Plus and the Pac-12 Now app, available for iOS and Android mobile devices as well as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.
Other options to follow the action include live statistics or the @LionUpBaseball Twitter account. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
TICKET INFORMATION
Baseball single-game tickets, for games during February and March, are currently on sale. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to minimize ticket lines on game days. Due to COVID-related capacity restrictions, single-game tickets are not currently available online.
A limited number of student tickets are available for each game and Southeastern students are encouraged to contact the ticket office prior to the game to reserve theirs in advance.
Single-game tickets can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. The ticket booth at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field opens exactly one hour prior to the scheduled first pitch.
MOBILE TICKETING
Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary method for securing tickets during the 2020-21 school year. Tickets will be available via text message or email in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
GAMEDAY PARKING
Gameday parking during the 2021 season is $5 per day for Southeastern baseball, while football parking is $25 per day for most vehicles and $85 for RVs.
Fans can purchase a season pass ($105), individual reserved ($185) or RV parking spots ($225), good for all baseball and football games, by completing the form at www.LionSports.net/Parking and submitting it to the Lion Athletics Association.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.
SOCIAL DISTANCING ON GAMEDAYS
Proper social distancing techniques are required at all athletic events. Fans are asked to maintain a minimum distance of six feet from others, wear a face covering over both their nose and mouth, and wash their hands frequently. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout Southeastern’s athletic facilities.
While tailgating is currently prohibited, current health and safety guidelines set forth by state and local officials due to the COVID-19 pandemic allow for 25 percent capacity at athletic events. Capacity will be adjusted as state guidelines allow.
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter, @LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
{Courtesy: Press Release from Southeastern Louisiana Athletics}