SIUE Goes 1-2 Against Southeastern Louisiana

SIUE baseball collected 10 hits for the second consecutive day, but it wasn't enough. Southeastern Louisiana used a pair of big innings Saturday to take the second game of a three-game series, 13-6.

"The walks and the free bases hurt us again," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "Every opportunity we gave them they took advantage. It was too much to overcome."

SIUE starter Brock Fulkerson faced the minimum in the first inning before the Lions jumped on the Cougars' right-hander in the second.

Following back-to-back walks to start the inning, Southeastern centerfielder Bryce Steckler opened the scoring with a two-run triple. Rightfielder Mike Taylor picked up a one-out RBI single to make it 3-0. Brennan Breaud singled to drive home a run and Cody Grosse added an RBI-groundout to put the Lions up 5-0.

Fulkerson lasted into the fourth allowing five runs on four hits and five walks. He struck out six and took the loss.

The Cougars scored single runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings to pull within two and 5-3.

Jackson Layton, who was a late addition to the lineup, homered to lead off the third inning. Peyton Cordova-Smith led off the fourth inning with a double and later came around to score on an Aaron Goecks RBI on fielder's choice. The Cougars third run came thanks to four walks in the sixth. Bret Fehr picked the RBI on a bases loaded pass.

Southeastern widened the gap again with five runs on five hits and two walks in the bottom of the sixth inning. All five runs came against SIUE reliever Chris Robinson.

Robinson finished the fourth inning and tossed a scoreless fifth inning before bowing out in the sixth. He gave up five runs over two innings in relief. He walked three.

"Chris Robinson pitched well until the walks caught up to him and he got into some trouble in the sixth," Lyons said.

Southeastern scored two runs in the seventh, including an unearned run thanks to a throwing error, to go up 12-3.

Bret Fehr drove in two runs with a single in the eighth inning to make it 12-5. It was 13-5 when Goecks picked up his second RBI of the day in the ninth with an RBI double.   

Lyons said he was generally pleased with the offense, singling out Feher, Cordova-Smith, Layton and Goecks, who all had two hits.

Southeastern Louisiana finished with 13 hits. Breaud was 4 for 4 with two RBIs. Grosse was 1 for 5 with three RBIs.

"It's truly a matter of execution," Lyons said of the Cougars' pitching woes. Guys had been throwing strikes in the fall and in the preseason. I am hoping this has just been an unfortunate two games."

The Cougars and Lions will play the final game of the series Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

"No matter the scores, your 0-2," Lyons added. "You want to come out on Sunday and try to salvage something from the series."

Sunday's Game

SIUE baseball scored four two-out runs in the ninth inning Sunday to grab a come-from-behind 7-4 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

The Cougars improved to 1-2. Southeastern Louisiana is 2-1.

"Today was a really good baseball game," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "The game was well-played by both sides."

Trailing 4-3, Jackson Layton and Steven Pattan singled to start the ninth inning. Bret Fehr then walked to load the bases. Jordan Ross reached on an error, allowing Layton to score to tie the game. Peyton Cordova-Smith then drilled an 0-1 pitch to left center to drive home three and put SIUE on top.

"It was great to see our guys, after giving up a lead, keep playing," Lyons added.

Mason McReaken threw 2.1 shutout innings to earn the win. McReaken struck out two and induced a game-ending double play in the bottom of the ninth inning from Southeastern's No. 3 hitter, designated hitter Tyler Schwaner.

"Mason had faced him before and we thought he matched up well," Lyons said. "Mason is our guy at the end of games. He may not have had great command today, but what you need is your guy to make that pitch when you it matters most and he did that."

Evan Hileman allowed all four runs in the ninth inning and suffered the loss for Southeastern.

Layton led SIUE at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a home run. Layton started the last two games in place of an injured Dustin Woodcock in right field.

"What a weekend he had," Lyons said. "He stepped right in and did not miss a beat. He had some really big hits in some key situations."

Ross and Chris Monasmith each had two hits for the Cougars. Cordova-Smith was 1 for 3 with the double and three RBIs.

After going down 1-0 in the first, the Cougars took the lead with single runs in the second, third and fourth innings.

Eric Giltz doubled to drive home Jared McCunn in the second to tie the game. Chris Monasmith singled to drive home Ross in the second to put the Cougars on top for the first time. Layton made it 3-1 in the fourth with his second home run in as many days to lead off the fourth inning.

Newcomer Kenny Serwa gave SIUE its longest outing from a starter so far. The transfer from Saint Joseph's (Indiana) tossed five innings allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out two.   

"Hats off to Kenny," Lyons said. "He had great command of his fastball and gave us five strong innings."

Southeastern scored a run in the sixth inning against Serwa and then plated two in the seventh against reliever Collin Baumgartner. Brennan Breaud drove home both runs with a single.

"It was a great learning experience for the freshman," Lyons said of Baumgartner. "He gave up a couple of hits and a couple of runs, but handled his first outing great."

Lyons also cited freshman catcher Pattan, who made his first start behind the plate.

"He did an outstanding job," Lyons said.

Schwaner and Cody Grosse both were 2 for 4 to lead the Lions.   

The Cougars return to Louisiana next weekend for a three-game series at Louisiana Tech.