Loyola-New Orleans broke open an early 3-0 lead with a five-run second inning performance, giving the Wolfpack enough cushion to knock off Southern 8-5 Tuesday night at Lee-Hines Field.
Loyola (14-19) led 8-0 after two innings, but had to hold together defensively to keep SU (11-14) off balance throughout the night.
Southern, which won two of three games last weekend in the Negro League Classic against Grambling State, learned that it had a long distance to go accroding to coach Roger Cador.
“We still have a distance to go in terms of getting them to stay within themselves,” said Cador, “and do what their ability lends them to do and that’s hitting ground balls and run, and force the pitcher to pitch.”
Cador said his team did not focus well on the things they needed-hitting ground balls and having patience at the plate.
“What will do those next couple of days, we’ll work on the things we can,” Cador said. “Batting practice, emphasizing staying on top of the ball, fielding a lot of ground balls and working on game situations.”
Frazier Hall went 1-for-3 with a two RBI, including a homerun late in the eighth inning for Southern. Michael Gonzales (2-for-4, RBI), and Ozzie Lamis (1-for-5, RBI), were other leaders at the plate for SU.
Troy Laborde started the contest, allowing three-runs (all earned) on two hits and two walks.
Stanten Jones, Seth Monaghan, Brad Isaac and Cody Hall each saw action on the mound to shut out the early Loyola attack. Each scattered five hits, three-walks, and registered five strikeouts.
Loyola’s Taylor Domengeaux, Caleb Templet, Ryan Scott, and David McChesney had at least two hits.
Southern returns to action this weekend, visiting Prairie View A&M for a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball series. First pitch is scheduled noon Saturday.