Southeastern Louisiana University defeated McNeese State University 13-8 in the final game of a Southland Conference baseball series on March 22, rallying with an eight-run sixth inning that included three home runs.
The outcome allowed Southeastern to avoid a sweep, though McNeese won the overall series two games to one. The Cowboys now hold a 12-11 overall record and are 6-6 in conference play, while Southeastern stands at 13-11 and 5-4.
McNeese will continue its current ten-game home stand on Tuesday when it hosts Southern at 6 p.m. In Sunday’s game, McNeese overcame an early deficit, tying the score at three after five consecutive hits in the fourth inning. Hayden Stringfellow contributed an RBI double, Connor Schneider executed a bases-loaded RBI bunt, and Connor Walker singled to left field to even the score.
After Southeastern regained the lead in the fifth, Marcus Heusohn doubled for McNeese and Simon Larranaga hit a pinch-hit home run to put the Cowboys ahead briefly. However, Southeastern responded with eight runs in the sixth inning—all with two outs—including a grand slam by Peyton Woods and back-to-back home runs from Connor Cuff and Alex Perry.
Walker added a two-run homer for McNeese during a three-run seventh inning before Southeastern scored again in the ninth. Stringfellow and Walker led McNeese’s offense with two hits each. Jaden Bahl took the loss for McNeese after allowing three runs and three walks in less than an inning of relief work. Starter Jarius Miller pitched four innings, giving up one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts. Nik Toups earned the win for Southeastern out of the bullpen.
The result leaves both teams looking ahead as they continue their conference schedules.
