Opening the season playing six of their first seven games on the road, the Lions currently stand 6-1. This past weekend the Lions took their talents to Mobile, AL to play in the 26th annual South Alabama Classic, headlining three games. The Lions faced-off against University of Alabama, University of Central Florida (UCF) and South Alabama ending the weekend undefeated at 3-0 and claiming their first win in the South Alabama Classic since 1998.  

The Lions began the weekend versus the previously AP ranked University of Alabama on Friday, where they took an impressive 6-2 win, claiming their first win ever over the Crimson Tide. The game remained scoreless until the fourth-inning as senior Jeff Harkensee hit a solo home run giving the Lions their first run of day. Lion hitters managed to combine for 15 hits against the Crimson Tide’s pitching rotation, highlighted by junior third baseman Jonathan Pace who went 3-for-5 from the plate and Cass Hargis who went 2-for-4 with two doubles along with 2 RBIs. The Lions sent redshirt freshman Jason Greenleaf to the mound in the final two innings holding the Crimson Tide scoreless and throwing them to their first victory over the Crimson Tide in 11 tries.

The Lions continued their success the next day as they ran away with a 7-2 victory over Conference USA opponent UCF. Junior pitcher Joseph Koon led the Lions on the mound as he retired five batters earning his first win as a Lions pitcher. Offensively the Lions were carried by a strong performance at the plate by junior    shortstop Justin Boudreaux who went 4-for-5 with a home run and batted in four of the Lions seven runs on Saturday evening as the Lions cruised to their second victory in the classic.

Looking to close out a successful weekend unbeaten, the Lions took on the Jaguars of South Alabama on the final day of the classic, with a tough fought 6-4 victory of the host team.

The Lions fell behind 4-1 in the sixth inning, but regrouped in the seventh as they closed the deficit 4-3; Cass Hargis led off with a double and was later brought in with a RBI    grounder from  Boudreaux. The Lions scored three runs in the eighth inning to secure the win over the Jaguars and be crowned as South Alabama Classic Champions.

Boudreaux was named tournament MVP with his efforts over the entire weekend assisting the Lions success.

The Lions return to action Tues. March 1, as they will travel to Baton Rouge to face the national ranked LSU tigers.