HAMMOND, LOUISIANA – Houston Christian University evened up its Southland series with Southeastern Louisiana with a resounding 9-2 victory on Friday evening. The Huskies cranked back-to-back home runs in the top of the second inning as part of a six-run outburst over the opening two frames, and were never threatened.
After a lead-off walk to start the game in the top of the first inning by
Trevor Roper,
Samuel Benjamin hit a double down the right field line advancing Roper to third. A single through the right side off the bat of
Tyler LaRue scored Roper and Benjamin to give the Huskies an early 2-0 lead. In the next at-bat,
William Jewell drew a five-pitch walk before
Trent Baker hit a single to right center scoring
Tyler LaRue and increased HCU's lead to three runs.
The Huskies kept the momentum leading off the top of the second inning with a double to left center off the bat of Roper, which was followed by a home run by
Dylan LaRue. Benjamin would go yard in the very next at-bat, and the back-to-back longballs gave HCU a 6-0 lead through two innings.
The Lions got on the board in the bottom of the second inning scoring a run to narrow the margin to 6-1. In the top of the fourth inning, Benjamin remained perfect for the game hitting a single to left field scoring
Dylan LaRue and increasing the Husky lead back to six runs at 7-1. SLU minimized the deficit back to five runs after posting a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Huskies offense continued to shine adding two runs in the top of the ninth inning when Benjamin hit a single up the middle to score Roper before
Dylan LaRue scored on a sacrifice fly by
Tyler LaRue to close out the game, 9-2.
The Huskies were led by Benjamin going 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs.
Dylan LaRue went 1-for-3 with a home run, an RBI, three runs and a walk while
Tyler LaRue went 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a run.
Parker Edwards (1-3) earned the win pitching five innings to start the game allowing one run, no earned runs, on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Zach Ryan pitched 2.1 shutout innings of relief giving up just one hit with a pair of walks and strikeouts.
Brock Shoffner closed out the game pitching a shutout ninth inning with a strikeout.
SLU (18-9, 3-2 SLC) was led by Peyton Woods going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Connor O'Neal went 1-for-3 with a walk while Jake Haze went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run. Dakota Lee (0-2) was tagged with the loss pitching one inning to start the game for the Lions, allowing six earned runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout. Southeastern Louisiana used four pitchers in the game two loss.
The Huskies (8-18, 1-4 SLC) snapped a 12-game losing streak with the win, and will look to claim the series when the two teams meet for the rubber game on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Alumni Field.
Live broadcast is available on ESPN+ and live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com!
