Junior transfer Jake Johnson pitched several scoreless innings for the Lions during the alumni game.
The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love
The Southeastern baseball team welcomed some familiar faces back this past weekend for the annual alumni game. Despite being coached by current Boston Red Sox pitcher and former Lion Wade Miley, the alumni fell to the current Lions 10-1.
With the official start to the season coming this weekend, the alumni game gave the current Lion’s baseball team one last chance to warm up before the season begins.
Although playing against some tough competition among the alumni team, the current Lions squad got off to a hot start. The current squad scored two runs in each of their first two innings at bat before bringing in three runs in the bottom of the third, leading 7-0. Two more scoreless innings followed up before the current Lions found their way on to home base once more to bring their lead 8-0.
In the top of the eighth inning, the alumni broke through the defense of the current Lions to put a run on the board. Current Lions finished all scoring with a final run in the bottom of the eighth.
Head coach Matt Riser detailed how beneficial the alumni game was to the team.
“The biggest part was to finally play someone different. We have been playing intrasquads since September, so it was great that we finally got to compete against somebody else. Even though it is a friendly foe across the way, it was great to be on the same side,” said Riser. “Honestly, it was good to see the alumni. They do a good job of showing us how to play.”
The game offered the Lions a chance to send some new faces onto the field. Freshman Scott Sanders got into the mix, while fans also got to check out transfers Jake Johnson and Devontae Wilson.
Riser was satisfied with the work coming from the new members following the game.
“This was a good way to get that first game jitters out of the way,” said Riser. “We had the junior college transfer Devontae Wilson come in and the redshirt freshman [Dreagen] Bethel. It was nice to have those guys out of the bullpin and get their first go at it out of the way.”
Coach Riser and the Lions do not have much longer to prepare for the start of the season, as the Lions open up against Louisiana Tech in a weekend series beginning this Friday, Feb. 13. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Pat Kenelly at Alumni Field.
Saturday’s game is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday’s contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. Southeastern students receive free entry into all regular season home games. For more information, visit lionsports.net.