The Lions baseball team (39-21, 20-12) was unable to win back-to-back games on Saturday, May 26, falling in the Southland (SLC) tournament championship game to the UT Arlington Mavericks, 4-13.

After losing on Friday to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 3-4, the Lions had to play the ‘Jacks for a second time on Saturday, before the championship game. The Lions won a close game in the bottom of the ninth, with a walk-off single by junior outfielder Ladd Rhodes, 5-4.

The turnaround for the Lions was tough, with time between the two games as well as the emotion of the first game on Saturday proving too much for the Lions to overcome.

“It was tough. I give a lot of credit to UTA,” said head coach Jay Artigues in post game interviews. “The first win was great for us. Our guys really fought hard in beating Stephen F. Austin and putting ourselves in a position to play for a championship. We got some big hits and pitched well that first ballgame. We just didn’t carry it over. Our bullpen didn’t come through and do their job but I’m proud of these guys. They fought all year for us.”

Upon winning the SLC tournament, the Mavericks also received an automatic bid into the 2012 Division I NCAA tournament. The Lions were not among the 64 teams selected.

Looking ahead, the 2012 MLB Draft will from June 4-6, where multiple Lions have a chance at being selected. Check out the next issue of The Lion’s Roar for more in-depth coverage of Lions Athletics.