A late surge helps Southeastern avoid elimination on day two of the SLC Tournament

HAMMOND, La. — Top-seeded Southeastern defeated McNeese, 7-4, in the first Hammond Bracket elimination game Friday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond.

The Cowboys carried a three-run lead into the seventh inning, where the Lions’ offense came to life. Southeastern scored three runs in the top of the frame, capped off by a two-RBI single from Peyton Woods that tied the game at three.

The Lions would plate four more runs in the ninth inning, which was sparked by a heads-up play from Jude Hall, who stole home after Parker Coley safely made it to first after a ground ball hit to third.

TJ Salvaggio followed Hall’s go-ahead run with a two-RBI double that extended the Lions’ lead to three. Logan Walters added an RBI single that would extend the lead to four.

Brady St. Pierre surrendered a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, but the former St. Charles Catholic star was excellent.

St. Pierre struck out two and allowed just three hits in three and two-thirds innings of relief. He was the winning pitcher (2-1) in Southeastern’s 7-4 victory over McNeese.

Southeastern will now face the loser of tonight’s winner’s bracket game between Northwestern State and UNO in an elimination game Saturday at 1 p.m.