HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — Alex Perry broke open a close Southland Conference game with a three-run homer and finished with five RBIs, powering Southeastern Louisiana to an 11-1 victory over New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

The Lions (15-12, 2-0 Southland) scored 10 unanswered runs after the first inning, capitalizing on a pivotal second inning and a decisive third-inning blast from Perry to secure the series win after a narrow 13-11 victory Friday night.

New Orleans (11-18, 0-2) struck first. In the top of the first, Brayden Biddick singled and scored on a two-out triple by Kruise Newman. That early lead was short-lived as Southeastern Louisiana responded forcefully in the bottom of the second against Privateers starter Jack Goff.

Peyton Woods walked and Rhett Centanni doubled to put runners on second and third. After Connor Cuff was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Perry laced a two-run double down the left field line to give the Lions a 2-1 lead. A passed ball allowed a third run to score, and Ben Robichaux’s RBI groundout plated Perry, making it 4-1.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the third, effectively putting the contest out of reach. With one out, Woods singled and Centanni followed with another single. Cuff drove in Woods with a single to right, setting the stage for Perry. The Lions’ third baseman then launched his fifth home run of the season, a three-run shot down the left field line, to extend the lead to 8-1.

Southeastern Louisiana added three more runs in the fourth on a three-run homer to right-center by Cuff, his sixth of the year, scoring Woods and Centanni.

That offensive outburst provided more than enough support for Lions starter Lakin Polk, who earned the win. Polk worked six strong innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out five and walking one. Relievers Austin Minichino and another pitcher combined for three perfect innings of relief, with Minichino striking out two in the seventh.

New Orleans’ offense was stifled after the first, managing only four hits total. Brock Hill provided a bright spot for the Privateers’ bullpen, tossing two perfect innings of relief with one strikeout.

Perry, who was 0-for-2 in Friday’s series opener, rebounded emphatically, going 2-for-3 with the home run, double and five RBIs. Cuff was also perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with the homer, four RBIs and three runs scored. Woods reached base all four times, with two singles and two walks, scoring three runs.

The victory improved Southeastern Louisiana’s record in conference play, while New Orleans continued to search for its first Southland win. The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon.