Strong SFA Pitching Performance Spoiled by SLU's Walkoff Single in 2-1 Setback

Saturday, April 28

Hammond, La.

2:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

14-28, 6-14

Southeastern Louisiana University

29-17, 16-7

Stephen F. Austin

Southeastern

Photo by: Cedrique Flemming | Texas State Athletics

Strong SFA Pitching Performance Spoiled by SLU's Walkoff Single in 2-1 Setback

4/28/2018 5:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Evans collects 100th hit of SFA career in 'Jacks' loss

By: Charlie Hurley | Director of Athletic Media Relations

HAMMOND, La. - On five occasions prior to the bottom of the ninth inning, the Stephen F. Austin baseball team stranded at least one Southeastern Louisiana runner in scoring position.

The sixth time, however, was when the Lions struck.

Cody Grosse spoiled a splendid pitching effort by SFA right-handers Sean Beasley and Jesus Gamez by driving a two-out, two-run walkoff single up the middle for Southeastern Louisiana on a 1-2 count in the 'Jacks' heartbreaking 2-1 setback Saturday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond.

Grosse's game-winning base knock came after SFA reliever Tyler Starks retired the first two Lions in the bottom of the ninth and stood just one pitch from victory when he started pinch hitter Mike Taylor out with a pair of strikes.

Regrettably, things took a turn for the worse for the 'Jacks when Taylor drew a walk, Brennan Breaud ripped a double to left-center and Trenon Trosclair worked a six-pitch walk to load the bases which set the table for Grosse.

SFA mustered just three hits, including Josh Evans' RBI single in the fourth, and for the majority of the afternoon it appeared as though that would be just enough to get past the Lions.

Going toe-to-toe with Southland Conference wins leader Carlisle Koestler, Beasley matched zeros with Southeastern Louisiana's ace through the first three frames before the 'Jacks struck.

Nic Minor laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit to begin the SFA fourth and swiped second while Jake Georgiades went down swinging. Down to their final out, the 'Jacks watched Evans drive Minor in with an RBI single to center field to provide a run that held up as the only one of the game until the bottom of the ninth.

Beasley worked 5.2 frames of scoreless, three-hit baseball before being lifted in favor of Gamez in the bottom of the sixth. With the game-tying run on third and SLU's Taylor Schwaner - who drove in seven runs Friday night - at the plate, Gamez struck out the Lions' big bopper on five pitches to keep the 'Jacks in front.

Gamez fanned two more in the seventh and registered the first two outs of the eighth before Starks took over with the game-tying run on third. After issuing a five-pitch walk to Drew Avans, it was Starks' turn to face Schwaner and once again SFA pitching won out as the 'Jacks' lefty junior got Schwaner to fly out to right, stranding runners on the corners.

Trey Shaffer (2-0) tossed two innings of perfect baseball to secure the win for Southeastern Louisiana who received seven strong frames from Koestler who struck out five and allowed three hits and two walks.

Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., the 'Jacks will try to avert a sweep at the hands of the Lions by sending senior right-hander Trevor Kiminski to the mound. He'll be opposed by Southeastern Louisiana righty Corey Gaconi.

-SFA-