HAMMOND, LA – Bobby Verbick hit his 12th home run of the year in the sixth inning to account for both Sam Houston State runs but it wasn’t enough as Southeastern Louisiana run-ruled the Bearkats in seven innings 12-2 in the third and final game of a Southland Conference baseball series at Alumni Field.

Southeastern Louisiana (27-24, SLC 13-14) took the series with victories in two of the three games. The Lions scored their 12 runs on nine hits and one Bearkat error.

Sam Houston State (31-22, SLC 16-11) was limited to six hits as Josh Black struck out six Bearkats and walked only one in his seven-inning complete game.

Todd Sebek and Ryan Trevino each had a pair of singles and Ryan Weber contributed a double to account for Sam Houston State’s other hits.

Brent Powers (2-4) took the loss as the starter, giving up three runs after walking the first two batters he faced and hitting a third. Will Skelton, Casey Springer, and Zach Neal all saw action in relief.

Sam Houston State will complete regular season play with its final Southland Conference three-game series of the season Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Don Sanders Stadium against Stephen F. Austin. The series with the Lumberjacks starts with a 7 p.m. game Thursday night.

The Bearkats have clinched a berth in the 2008 Southland Conference post-season baseball tournament to be held in Huntsville at Don Sanders Stadium beginning Wednesday, May 21. Sam Houston State is the defending Southland Conference post-season champion.