Box Score HAMMOND, LOUISIANA – Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) and Andro Cutura engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel on Friday night at PKD at Alumni Field.  Southeastern Louisiana won the Southland Conference baseball game against visiting University of the Incarnate Word, 3-0.

Encina tossed a shutout for the Cardinals (10-21, 3-4) in his last start and made a strong effort for another one.  He allowed just three runners to reach base through the first six innings and he retired 12 consecutive batters heading into the seventh inning.

Cutura matched Encina pitch for pitch with each giving up three hits through six innings.  He was able to strand UIW runners on third base in the second and fourth innings.
The Lions (22-12, 8-5) broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning.  After Encina recorded one out, SLU put together a single and a hit by pitch followed by three consecutive singles to take a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals were able to put runners in scoring position in the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to push a run across the board.

Cutura improved to 6-1 on the season after tossing 8.0 shutout innings allowing four hits and no walks while striking out nine.  Dylan Hills picked up the save with a shutout inning of relief that included three strikeouts.  Andrew Godbold and Kennon Menard each had two hits in the game while Brett Hoffman and Kyle Cedotal each had an RBI.

Encina fell to 4-5 on the season.  He gave up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out eight in 7.0 innings.  Matthew Decker (Hickory Creek/Lake Dallas HS) pitched a perfect inning of relief.

The teams will match up for the second game of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.
####
pr14229smm