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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

Lions sweep Lumberjacks

Senior infielder Taylor Schwaner, redshirt senior Trenon Trosclair, senior catcher Daniel Wasinger were honored on Senior Day. Seniors outfielder Drew Avans, pitcher Josh Green, pitcher Evan Hileman, pitcher Gage Pickett and Director of Baseball Operations Taylor Marceuax were also recognized for their contribution to Lions baseball program. Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion's Roar

The Lions baseball team has clinched its 10th straight Southland Conference Tournament appearance after sweeping Stephen F. Austin State University in the three-game series 11-2, 2-1 and 7-3.

The Lions are now 30-17 overall and 17-7 against the Southland Conference opponents. Head Coach Matt Riser was pleased with the team’s effort to complete the sweep.

“It was a good sweep,” said Riser. “We knew that we needed to take care of business this week so that we can be ready to play Sam Houston. They do a good job of winning series and sweeping series. So, the only way that we can keep pace with them is to do the same, especially at home. I was proud that we took care business on senior day.”

Prior to the game, the seniors of the team were honored including outfielder Drew Avans, pitcher Josh Green, pitcher Evan Hileman, pitcher Gage Pickett, infielder Taylor Schwaner, redshirt senior Trenon Trosclair and Director of Baseball Operations Taylor Marceuax.

The focus for the seniors was not so much on being honored as they were focused on finishing the sweep and clinching their tournament spot.

“It’s a great day, especially for senior day,” said Pickett. “The last time that we had swept a team was against Lamar. It has been a while, so it was really nice to get the big series win on senior day.”

According to Riser, the pressure on the senior players of the program grows each year that the program is successful. Last season, the Lions won their first game of the College World Series against Rice University and was put in the winner’s bracket with Louisiana State University.

They hope to go even farther into the College World Series this season. 

“Every year expectations grow for our program and for our senior leadership,” said Riser. “They have to understand what those expectations are when they come in, and they have to do a good job of growing and taking the next step with the program. It’s good to get the sweep for them, but we got a lot of season left. There is a whole month left of regular season and postseason. We got to do a good job of taking care of business from here on out.”

In the top of the sixth inning the Lions found themselves down a run to the Lumberjacks. However, they quickly responded in the bottom of the sixth scoring two runs to take back the lead.

In the seventh inning, the Lions gave up another run to the Lumberjacks, but they put the game out of reach in the following inning by scoring eight runs.

Junior outfielder Nathan Pilutti trusted his senior teammates to lead the team to victory.

“The seniors have been here four years,” said Pilutti. “They know exactly what coach Riser expects, and they hold us to it. We had a little rough spot, and they all stepped up. Honestly without their leadership and how hard they work in setting an example for us, who knows where we would be. Even the ones that are not on the field, they still find a role and help us get dubs.”

Junior infielder Cody Grosse was instrumental in winning the second game of the series hitting the ball down the middle of the field in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Lions the victory after being down by one run for four straight innings.

The Lions will be on a six-game road trip to start the month of May. Their series against Sam Houston State University will start on Friday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.

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