HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth Southland Conference series finale defined by a pivotal mid-game bullpen performance, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions outlasted the New Orleans Privateers 7-5 on Sunday afternoon and evening at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

The Lions, taking the final two games of the three-game set, improved to 16-12 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Privateers fell to 11-19 and 2-4.

The most critical juncture came in the top of the sixth inning with the Lions clinging to a 6-5 lead. After starter Blake Lobell allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings, Southeastern Louisiana turned to reliever Nik Toups. The right-hander delivered a dominant outing, stifling the Privateers’ offense over 3 2/3 hitless innings. He struck out four and walked one, preserving the slim lead and allowing his offense to add a crucial insurance run.

Toups’ effort, following a recent three-inning, five-strikeout scoreless appearance against Oklahoma, was the cornerstone of the Lions’ victory. He earned the win in relief.

The game began as a seesaw affair. New Orleans struck first in the third inning when first baseman Kruise Newman launched a two-run homer to center field, his eighth of the season, scoring Collin Tidwell for a 2-0 lead.

Southeastern Louisiana responded immediately in the bottom of the second, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring four runs. The rally was highlighted by an RBI double from Dane Watts and a two-run single up the middle by Parker Capps, giving the Lions a 4-2 advantage.

New Orleans reclaimed the lead in the fifth. After an RBI single by Miguel Rogers tied the game at 5-5, designated hitter Adrian Dominguez followed with a two-run homer to right field, his first of the year, putting the Privateers ahead 5-4.

The lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the fifth, the Lions tied it on an RBI groundout by TJ Cuff and then went ahead for good on a sacrifice fly by Cole Robichaux in the sixth, making it 7-5.

That set the stage for Toups, who took over in the sixth and shut the door. New Orleans managed only two baserunners against him, both via walks, and never seriously threatened again. Dakota Lee recorded the final out for his first save.

Watts led the Lions’ 11-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Robichaux drove in two runs.

For New Orleans, Newman and Dominguez each had two RBIs. Privateers starter Riley Marcotte was charged with six earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. Relievers Skylar Jones and Luke Lycette combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to keep the game close.

The victory gave Southeastern Louisiana the series win after splitting the first two games, which were both high-scoring affairs. The Lions next travel to face Southern Mississippi on Tuesday. New Orleans will visit South Alabama on Tuesday.