HAMMOND, La. – SIUE baseball dropped a heartbreaker, falling 1-0 at Southeastern Louisiana to open its 2022 season.
Southeastern Louisiana scored the game's only run with a three-hit fifth inning against SIUE reliever Kaid Karnes (0-1). Southeastern Louisiana catcher Bryce Grizzaffi drove home the run with a one-out single.
"It was a really good way to start the season," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We just didn't find our way offensively."
The Cougars finished with just five hits, two of which came in the ninth inning, when SIUE put three runners on. Brady Bunten roped a one-out double to the right field corner but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
"With one out we want our guy on third base," Lyons said. "I wasn't sure it was picked clean in the corner and that's when I made the decision to send him. They executed a perfect relay."
Ole Arntson walked and then Braedyn Brewer singled to right field. Richie Well hit a slow bouncing ball to third base. Well was called out at first on a close play which was reviewed, but ultimately left as called on the field.
Brewer paced the Cougars at the plate, going 3-4 in his SIUE debut.
"Braedyn put some good swings on the ball and he found some holes," Lyons said.
SLU starter Will Kinzeler (1-0) limited SIUE to just two hits over the game's first six innings. He struck out four. Gage Trahan worked the seventh and eighth, allowing a single hit and striking out three.
"Kinzeler was good and (Trahan) gave us some fits in the middle," Lyons said of the SLU pitchers.
Karnes allowed only the run on three hits over 3 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out six. Karmes entered the game with the bases loaded in the third and worked a fly ball to end the inning.
"Kaid Karnes did a nice job in relief, and did well to get out of the bases-loaded jam," Lyons said.
SIUE starter Noah Matheny started and worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He surrendered three hits and three walks, but also struck out three.
Jake Bockenstedt worked the final two innings for the Cougars. He did not allow a run on two hits and fanned two. SIUE pitchers recorded 11 strikeouts in total.
"It was a bit of a grind for Noah Matheny, but he was worked out of some jams. "I was really happy with the way our guys threw. Kaid and Jake did a good job in relief." added Lyons.
The two teams will play the second game of the three-game weekend series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
"I am happy with the way the guys competed down to the last pitch," Lyons said. "We'll be ready to compete again tomorrow."
