GAME 3 🪓

🆚: Northwestern State
⏰: 1 PM
🏟️: Brown-Stroud Field
📺: https://t.co/6bGTIqiv9N
⚾: https://t.co/oEqekWcwKX
📰: https://t.co/erQ37elyC3#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/dGxSktDQti

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) April 26, 2026

SFA avoids the sweep and ends their 5 game losing skid to stay in the hunt.

It was a close game that finally went the way of the Jacks as SFA wins 11-8 over NSU in game three, keeping their conference tournament hopes alive improving to 23-22 and 12-12 in conference play.

Early on it was the Demons who jumped out on top in a hurry (scoring in every inning through 7) taking a 5-0 lead into the 5th before the Lumberjacks finally got something cooking with a 5 run top of the 5th scoring all their runs on singles tying the game up at 5.

Both teams would trade runs as it went back and forth in the 6th with the Demons emerging in the 7th with a 2 run lead at 8-6, but that would be it for NSU with SFA erupting for another 5 run inning in the top of the 8th highlighted by a 2 run homer by Jhett Creel to take back the lead and the game 11-8.

SFA with 16 hits and stranding 10 base runners.

Mark Henning was the hero today going 4 of 5 at the plate with 2 runs and 2 RBI's.

Reid Bowyer gets the save going 2 innings giving up no runs on 1 hit with 2 k's and only 1 walk.

SFA heads back to the Nac for a 4-game home stand with BIG XII foe Houston (on Tues.) and a 3-game series with McNeese.

We are down to the last 2 conference series (McNeese and UIW) and SFA sits at the #6 seed out of 8, it's going to be close.

Another day of fun in the Piney Woods 🪓

🆚: U of H
⏰: 4 PM
🏟️: Pilgrim's Park
📺: https://t.co/6bGTIqiv9N
⚾: https://t.co/oEqekWcwKX
📰: https://t.co/erQ37elyC3
🎟️: https://t.co/JQi3nRVOZA#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/6SZzMyol77

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) April 28, 2026

SFA (23-22) vs. Houston (18-24)

WHEN: Tues. April 28; 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: Nacogdoches, Texas (Pilgrim's Park)
TV: ESPN+

Houston has dominated the over series 33-4 winning the last 4 in a row (SFA won at Houston in 2009) and 24 of the last 25. SFA has not beaten Houston in Nacogdoches since 1990.

It's the last non-conference game of the 2026 season, with the Cougars of Houston coming to Pilgrim's Park riding a 3-game losing streak, and losing 5 of their last 6.

U of H started 2026 hot going 5-0 with wins over #21 Wake Forest, Boston College, Manhattan, Washington, and UTRGV, also with other wins over #15 West Virginia and #2 Texas, but have struggle of late here in the second half of the season.

Their lineup is highlighted by Xavier Perez who leads the team in runs (34) hits (47) home runs (9) triples (3), RBI's (31) and second in stolen bases (11)

Look for pitch by committee from both teams getting some arms some game action as the Jacks prepare for the two remaining 3-game series (1 at home and 1 on the road)

Axe'Em

SFA moves to 24-22 on the season (best record since 2019) as they take down BIG XII opponent Houston.

The Lumberjacks took control of this game and never let it go, defeating the Cougars 5-2 behind a solid outing by the SFA pitching staff with 10 K's and 3 walks.

Juan Cantua gets 3 hits to lead the SFA lineup, while Coby DeJesus says hello to his former team with 2 hits, 2 RBI's, and 1 run.

Struck first ⚡

Coby DeJesus hits a 2-run RBI single to get the Jacks on the board

📺: ESPN+#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/0OpwZVNuhf

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) April 28, 2026

Spirits are high as well as confidence as the Lumberjacks head into the home stretch to a historical season that continues on Friday against McNesse.

Very tight race in the SLC between Southeastern Louisiana, Lamar, and Northwestern State.

Nicholls has found new life and are hot coming up on the outside, SFA sitting nicely at the #6 seed, with an outside shot at getting the #5 spot if they run the table.

There is a dogfight for that #8 seed.

You have to love SLC baseball, such a great competitive league.

#6 SFA (24-22; 12-12) vs. #7 MCNEESE (23-22; 11-13)

WHEN: May 2; 3:00 & 6:00 (DH)/May 3; 2:00
WHERE: Nacogdoches, Texas (Pilgrim's Park)
TV: ESPN+

The Lumberjacks and Cowboys battle it out for the #6 seed slot for the SLC Tournament.

McNeese leads the overall series 26-19 with SFA winning the last 2 meetings and 6 of the last 8. This will be the first time the Cowboys will play at Pilgrim's Park since 2018.

The Cowboys lead the SLC in hits (447) doubles (95) and are second behind SFA in stolen base attempts at 69 to SFA's 87.

In pitching, McNeese leads the SLC in strike outs (478)

Eric Nachtsheim is their ace with an ERA of 4.12, 5-3 in the win-loss, 59 innings pitched 96 k's to 19 walks, and a B/AVG. of .222, also look for Cooper Golden ERA 5.50 2-3, 54 innings pitched 50 k's and 22 walks, .301 average against.

Jacks need to at least win these last two series to keep pace to make the tournament, and couple of sweeps would do nicely though.

Axe'Em

This system in college sports is starting to be corralled and tamed, it had to be.

🚨NCAA Eligibility Proposal Update 2026 Season

The NCAA is reviewing new eligibility rules that could impact college baseball recruiting and roster management. Key changes include stricter transfer portal windows, updated academic progress requirements, and phasing out extra… pic.twitter.com/811wrPbcK4

— College Baseball Insights (@InsightsCollege) May 1, 2026

SFAXE93 said:

---

#6 SFA (24-22; 12-12) vs. #7 MCNEESE (23-22; 11-13)

WHEN: May 2; 3:00 & 6:00 (DH)/May 3; 2:00
WHERE: Nacogdoches, Texas (Pilgrim's Park)
TV: ESPN+

The Lumberjacks and Cowboys battle it out for the #6 seed slot for the SLC Tournament.

McNeese leads the overall series 26-19 with SFA winning the last 2 meetings and 6 of the last 8. This will be the first time the Cowboys will play at Pilgrim's Park since 2018.

The Cowboys lead the SLC in hits (447) doubles (95) and are second behind SFA in stolen base attempts at 69 to SFA's 87.

In pitching, McNeese leads the SLC in strike outs (478)

Eric Nachtsheim is their ace with an ERA of 4.12, 5-3 in the win-loss, 59 innings pitched 96 k's to 19 walks, and a B/AVG. of .222, also look for Cooper Golden ERA 5.50 2-3, 54 innings pitched 50 k's and 22 walks, .301 average against.

Jacks need to at least win these last two series to keep pace to make the tournament, and couple of sweeps would do nicely though.

Axe'Em

---

Is top 8 teams make the tournament?

Yes, top 8 teams get in, double elimination bracket.

Bracket Play (May 14-17) Games will be hosted at the home fields of the regular season champion and runner up.

Championship Series (May 21-23) The final best-of-three series will take place at the home of the highest remaining seed.

Most likely looking at games being in Hammond, Louisiana, Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field and Beaumont, Texas at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

SFA was 2-1 against Lamar and 1-2 against Southeastern Louisiana this season, so 3-3 combined at those venues.

Another former SFA pitcher makes good.

Blane Zeplin of @tamuvjaguars was named 2026 RRAC baseball co-pitcher of the year and first-team all-conference. Complete list: https://t.co/OVkbIAYmhN pic.twitter.com/SzoTEZQmgd

— RRAC Sports (@RRACsports) May 1, 2026

SFAXE93 said:

---

Yes, top 8 teams get in, double elimination bracket.

Bracket Play (May 14-17) Games will be hosted at the home fields of the regular season champion and runner up.

Championship Series (May 21-23) The final best-of-three series will take place at the home of the highest remaining seed.

Most likely looking at games being in Hammond, Louisiana, Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field and Beaumont, Texas at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

SFA was 2-1 against Lamar and 1-2 against Southeastern Louisiana this season, so 3-3 combined at those venues.

---

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. I watch most of the baseball games but didn't know how the tournament worked

Great day for sports!

SFA (DH) in Nacogdoches looking to make the SLC Tournament (ESPN+)

Texas A&M - Texarkana in the semi-finals of the Red River Conference Tournament in Shreveport https://www.youtube.com/live/1Yv8zVsFCZY

Northeast Texas at home in Mt. Pleasant trying to hang on to first place in Region 14 with a DH (last 2 games of the RS)
https://tsbnsports.com/navarro-vs-northeast-texas-game-1/

Texas Rangers in Detroit looking to take the series in game 2

Even football with the Dallas Renegades playing today in Washington DC on ABC and my son's 6-man football league team going for 4-0 today in East Austin.

Where's my lawn chair?

SFA and McNeese split on the double hitter.

Game one was all McNeese in what was for the most part a pitching duel until the top of the 5th when the Cowboys went yard times scoring 6 runs through 3 innings.

Julian Swift was the only Lumberjacks to get multiple hits in the game scoring a run on a Mark Henning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th preventing the shutout in the 6-1 loss.

Cowboys pitching was on striking out 9 while walking 1, giving up only 1 run on 6 hits.

Game two was a different story with the Lumberjacks coming to life scoring in the first 4 innings of the game taking and taking a 7-1 lead into the 9th. Things got a little tense in the top of the 9th when the Cowboys had a bit of a rally with 3 runs to close it to a 3 run game 7-4.

Ace Cody Templeton on the mound was in command, going deep with 7 innings of work striking out 8, walking 3 giving up only 1 run on 3 hits gets the win (5-1)

Cermodrick Bland goes 3 for 5 with a homer (3rd) in the 1st scoring a run, and 3 RBI's while Josh Ibe goes yard two times once in the 3rd (5th) and again in the 7th (6th).

SFA now 25-23; 13-13 best record since 2019 at 25 wins.

Game 3 tomorrow to try and take the series.

FOR THE SENIORS 🫡

🆚: McNeese
⏰: 2 PM
🏟️: Pilgrim's Park
📺: https://t.co/6bGTIqiv9N
⚾: https://t.co/oEqekWcwKX
📰: https://t.co/erQ37elyC3
🎟️: https://t.co/JQi3nRVOZA#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/U8DOox1trJ

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) May 3, 2026

Forever Lumberjacks 🪓

Thank you seniors for your dedication, leadership, and committment to SFA Baseball!#AxeEm pic.twitter.com/Pb9tQiTNZi

— SFA Athletics (@SFA_Athletics) May 3, 2026

SFA 25-24; 13-14 vs. UIW (18-27; 8-19)

WHEN: May 7; 2:00/ May 8; 2:00/ May 9; 1:00
WHERE: San Antonio, Texas (Sullivan Field)
TV: ESPN+

SFA leads the all-time series 13-8 having won 6 of the last 7 meetings, including 4 in a row.

The Lumberjacks sit tied with McNeese for the #6 seed in the tournament as they head into San Antonio for the last conference series of the 2026 season against last place UIW.

Having lost 8 straight games the Cardinals look to play spoiler at home where they are .500 with a record of 11-11.

UIW leads the SLC in BA (.288) and OB% (0.391) second in HR's (66) SLG% (.470), but dead last in pitching with a combined ERA of (8.06) runs given up at (372) and least amount of strike outs (286).

SFA (2.96) and UIW (.309) are 1st and 2nd in the conference in BAA so expect some heavy offense in this series.

The Jacks are stumbling across the finish line looking to make that first SLC baseball tournament since 2019 (7- year drought) and need to take care of business in San Antonio with at least a series win.

Axe'Em

Current Seedings (SFA's record against)

#1 Southeastern Louisiana 18-9 (1-2)
#2 Lamar 17-10 (2-1)
#3 Northwestern State 16-11 (1-2)
#4 UTRGV 17-13 (hottest team right now with 4 straight wins) (2-1)
#5 Nicholls 15-12 (0-3)
#6 McNeese 13-14/SFA 13-14 (1-2)
#8 HCU 12-15 (2-1)

Outside shot
A&M CC 11-16 (2-1)
New Orleans 10-17 (2-1)

Eliminated
UIW 8-19 (?)

𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔! 💪@jamesreina3 is a Lumberjack! 🪓#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/aQ3uJlyn7i

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) May 5, 2026

- Plays SS, 3rd in Region 14 with 10 HR's
- 2021 LHSAA State Champion
- Plays summer ball for the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators

GP:46;BA .292;H:41;R:38;2B:11;3B:2;HR:10;RBI:32;BB:31;SB:11;OPS:.883 (2026)

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭! 💥

Welcome to the Piney Woods, @matthewfoley24! 🪓#AxeEm x #LogByLog pic.twitter.com/6mt3Y8i1RQ

— Lumberjack Baseball (@SFA_Baseball) May 5, 2026

- Big strong arm pitcher 6-2; 210 (91 MPH fastball) also curveball, slider and changeup
- 2025 First Team All-Conference (as a freshman)
- Known for his command and going deep in a game

2025-25 season - 7-2 record; ERA 4.47; SO 64; IP 56.1
2024-25 season - 9-3 record; ERA 3.86; SO:74; IP 91.0

Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators. Ha! Love it!

SFA takes game one 4-2 over UIW.

Elian Balmaceda got the start and the win today went 4 innings with 2 K's and 1 walk gave up 2 runs on 5 hits.

Coach must be saving the rotation for the SLC tournament as the Jacks look to be the #6 seed, still with an outside shot at the 5th seed.

That win guarantees SFA a non-losing season for the first time since 2017.

SFAXE93 said:

---

SFA takes game one 4-2 over UIW.

Elian Balmaceda got the start and the win today went 4 innings with 2 K's and 1 walk gave up 2 runs on 5 hits.

Coach must be saving the rotation for the SLC tournament as the Jacks look to be the #6 seed, still with an outside shot at the 5th seed.

That win guarantees SFA a non-losing season for the first time since 2017.

---

Such improvement. Very optimistic.

🚨NCAA-D1 Eligibility Proposal👉 FAQ

The NCAA is reviewing new eligibility rules that could impact college baseball recruiting and roster management.

👇Learn Morehttps://t.co/L913DUUOev#collegebaseball #rosteraudit #uncommitted #ncaaeligibility #collegebaseballresearch pic.twitter.com/eS5Caagba0

— College Baseball Insights (@InsightsCollege) May 7, 2026

Templeton also threw a ton of pitches and on Saturday last week so probably just giving him a extra day of recovery

What happened to Cody. They have pulled him from the game

8-8 in the bottom of the 9th UIW with 2 runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs.

SFA has thrown everybody in this one

Templeton, Mulcahy, LeBlanc, James, Farney in now.