McNeese baseball lost the series finale to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 9-5, on Sunday afternoon at Chapman Field.
The result leaves McNeese with a record of 21-18 overall and an even 10-10 in Southland Conference play. The Islanders improved their record to 17-21 overall and 6-13 in conference games. McNeese is scheduled to return home Tuesday for a game against Louisiana Tech, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Cowboys took an early lead when Isaiah Keller scored in the second inning. However, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi responded strongly in the bottom half of the inning by scoring five runs. Will Stark hit a bases-clearing double that brought home three runs, followed by an RBI single from Jarrett Flaggert and an RBI double from Jaden Reynolds.
McNeese narrowed the gap over the next two innings as Keller hit a solo home run in the third and Connor Walker added an RBI single in the fifth. The Islanders then extended their lead with three more runs in their half of the fifth inning.
In the sixth inning, Danny Barbero scored on a throwing error while Keller advanced, and DJ Pinkerton contributed with an RBI single to bring McNeese within three runs at 8-5. The Islanders added another run with Hunter Azemar’s solo home run in the seventh.
Carlos Garcia was charged with the loss after giving up five runs—two earned—on four hits over one and two-thirds innings pitched for McNeese. Islander starter Connor Schlect earned his second win of the season after pitching five innings and allowing three runs on five hits; Preston Watkins recorded a save by pitching four innings and surrendering two runs on three hits.
Looking ahead, McNeese will face Louisiana Tech at home before continuing its schedule against UTRGV, Houston, SFA (Stephen F. Austin), and Northwestern State.
