HAMMOND, LA ? Nick Zaleski hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning and Dallas Gallant picked up the victory on the mound in seven innings work to lead Sam Houston State to a 9-4 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the first game of a Southland Conference weekend series between the two teams.

Sam Houston State (31-19, SLC 16-9) scored its nine runs on nine hits and four Lion errors.

Southeastern Louisiana (24-24, SLC 11-14) totaled eight hits.

Sam Houston opened the scoring in the third inning. With two out, Todd Sebek singled and stole second. He scored on a double to left center by Keith Stein. Bobby Verbick followed with another double, this time down the right field line, to score Stein and put the Bearkats up 2-0.

Dallas Gallant held the Lions scoreless for the first three innings, picking up a third out strike out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second.

But Southeastern Louisiana scored in the bottom of the fourth on a home run down the right field line by Craig Summerlin.

The Bearkats bounced back with an unearned run in the top of the fifth. With two out, Stein got on base on and error, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on an error by the third baseman on a ground ball by Verbick.

Sam Houston added five more runs, also all unearned, in the top of the seventh. With Jaime Rohlmeier on second base after a single and a sacrifice bunt, Stein and Verbick both walked. Seth Hammock hit a ball to right field which was dropped for an error, allowing two runs to score. Nick Zaleski homered to put Sam Houston up 8-1.

Gallant (6-3) spread eight hits over his seven innings. He struck out two batters. Casey Springer and Zac Baker each pitched in relief.

The two teams will meet for the second game of the series at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.