The Pontchartrain Bowl trophy is staying in Hammond for another year as the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team defeated New Orleans, 11-1, in seven innings Saturday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
Coupled with Friday’s 13-11 victory over UNO, Southeastern (15-12, 7-4 SLC) is up two games to none over the Privateers (11-18, 4-10 SLC) in their three-game, Southland Conference series.
UNO took an early lead, 1-0, on an RBI triple in the first inning.
The Lions jumped out in front in the second, sending eight batters to the plate. Peyton Woods drew a leadoff walk. Following Rhett Centanni’s double to left-center field, Connor Cuff was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Alex Perry ripped a two-run double down the third-base line, putting the Lions up by a run. Cuff scored on a passed ball and Perry crossed the plate on Ben Robichaux’s RBI groundout.
SLU enjoyed another four-run rally in the third. Consecutive singles by Woods, Centanni and Cuff plated a run. Perry followed with a home run to left. The three-run blast was the fifth of the season for Perry.
A three-run homer by Cuff in the fourth wrapped up the scoring. Cuff’s homer was his sixth of the season, tying him with Robichaux and Brody Capps for the most on the squad.
Lakin Polk (3-1) earned the win, allowing one run in 6.0 innings pitched. He scattered four hits and one walk, striking out five batters. Privateer starting pitcher Bryson Goff (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing eight runs – seven runs – in 2.2 innings of work.
Centanni (2-for-3), Cuff (2-for-2), Perry (2-for-3) and Woods (2-for-2) each turned in multiple hits for the Lions. Perry drove in five runs and Cuff drove in four.
UP NEXT
The series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Blake Lobell (0-0, 4.60) is slated to start the series finale for SLU. The Privateers have not announced a starting pitcher.
Sunday is Military Appreciation Day. One complimentary ticket will be given out per valid military ID.
READ MORE:Southeastern Lions claim Pontchartrain Bowl Trophy over UNO with run-rule victory
