Box Score (Game 1)  |  Box Score (Game 2)  |  Season Stats

DURANT, Okla. -- A pair of comeback attempts fell short today for SBU baseball, as they drop a pair of games to Southeastern Oklahoma, 6-3 and 8-5. Centerfielder Niko Saladis went 3-for-6 between the two games, with two runs and an RBI. Junior Stephen Davis had a solid day at the plate in the opening game, going 3-for-3 and scoring the first of three Bearcat runs, in a comeback attempt in the late innings.

The Storm got off to a quick start in the second inning of game one, putting up four runs on three hits. SBU would cut the lead to two in the fifth, when Davis led off the inning with a single, followed by another single from first baseman Justin Crumpley, and a fielding error by Southeastern. Saladis second hit of the game brought home Victor Ramirez for the second score, and SBU was back in the game at 4-2.

The 'Cats would pull closer in the sixth, when Davis' third single allowed Kyle Wise to score on a throwing error, making the score 6-3 in favor of the Storm. SBU couldn't capitalize, however, with runners on the corners and two outs, as Southeastern pitcher Heath Wyatt came in and got out of the jam. Wyatt would go on to earn his first save of the season.

The second game saw Southeastern jump out to another early lead, scoring one run in the second inning, then two more in the third. SBU took advantage of some errors by the Storm and battled back to tie the game in the fifth. After Ramirez doubled to lead off the inning, and Saladis worked the count to take a walk, Senior third baseman Justin Barnhart laid down a bunt that resulted in a throwing error by the Southeastern third baseman. Ramirez and Saladis both scored on the play. Two batters later, Barnhart would score on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Trotter to even the score. Southeastern would answer back with an unearned run scored on an error, followed by a two-run shot by the Storm's Justin Miller.

After a pair of walks to lead of the seventh set SBU up for another comeback attempt, a throwing error by the Southeastern pitcher scored Saladis for his second run of the game, and moved Barnhart to second. Barnhart would later score on a single from Wise to cut the lead to 6-5 in favor of the Storm. But with bases loaded and only one out, an unfortunate double play ended the Bearcat rally. Southeastern would tack on two more runs in the seventh inning of the eight inning game to make the final 8-5.

With the pair of losses, SBU falls to 0-3 in the early season. The Bearcats are back in action on Friday, February 12, as they travel to Russellville, Ark. for a three game series against Arkansas Tech. The first game of the series is set for a 3:00 p.m. start time, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, February 13.