The Lions were unable to come out on top against the Ole Miss Rebels in a back-and-forth game, losing 8-3 this past Wednesday at
the Pat. This was the second time the Lions faced the No.12-ranked Ole Miss in two days. The Rebels earned the win Tuesday night as
well 2-1. Sophomore Kyle Cedotal started off the game pitching for the Lions. Opposite of him was Evan Anderson for the Ole Miss Rebels. Five different players took the mound for Southeastern while the Rebels sent out six different pitchers before all was said and done. “We had our times in the game to where they’d punch, we’d punch,” said sophomore pitcher Mason Klotz. “We did a good job of punching back as a team. They just had the last punch.”

Head Coach Matt Riser was impressed with the pitching. “There were times where they would get a hit or two, but overall I think we pitched a great game,” said Riser.

Going into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Rebels took a three-run lead and seemed to be running away with the game. The Lions were able to answer back with an impressive inning that saw them score two runs and bring the down the lead to one. After a scoreless sixth inning, it seemed as if the Lions would be able to take the upset victory. This feeling would be over soon. The seventh inning saw a turn of momentum in favor of Ole Miss. After three hits, the Rebels were able take the lead on a run from Austin Bousfield. The Lions were unable to follow up with a score at bottom of the seventh and went into the eighth inning hoping for an answer. There would be no more runs for the Lions. The final two innings only saw them put up one hit. Relief pitchers Klotz and John

Gremillion had no luck pitching against the Rebels. Klotz allowed his first runs of the season in the ninth inning, which allowed Ole Miss to bring four runners home. This weekend the Lions began Southland Conference play against Lamar with a home field advantage, which helped them win the series, 2-1. Head coach Matt Riser opened up SLC play strong with a pair of wins on March 15. Despite bad weather, the Lions won the first game, 4-2 and then won the second game, 7-6. In game one, the Lions held the lead for all nine innings. Starting off with a score of 3-1 by the third inning, each team only scored one more run, bringing the final score to 4-2. The Lions (11-8, 2-1 SLC) rotated pitchers during the match, seeing key performances from sophomore pitchers Tate Scioneaux and Jameson Fisher. Lion bats were hot all game, but it was the seventh inning when freshman infielder Kennon Menard came running home after a hit by Jameson Fisher that the Lions completed the final score for a win. In game two, the Lions held control of the match from the mound. Junior Kyle Keller pitched for the Lions with sophomore pitcher Mason Klotz stepping in for a few innings, but the Cardinals’ bats were hot during the sixth inning, scoring three runs. For three innings straight, neither team scored or saw bases, but the Lions made a comeback during the fifth inning with three runs, sealing their series win.