LAKE CHARLES - The crack of the bat, the cowbells ringing, the hot dogs fresh off the grill and the game America loves. That is the experience the fans of the McNeese baseball team will witness over the weekend as the Cowboys open up the 2016 season with a three-game series against Southern Illinois at Cowboy Diamond.
 
The 2016 season opener is set for Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. The teams will play single games on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 at Noon to open up the college baseball season.
 
Fans in attendance will have multiple opportunities to be involved in the gameday atmosphere beginning Friday evening when the first 300 spectators in attendance will receive a free draw-string backpack courtesy of the Sports Coalition. Also, there will be social media contests and other promotions presented throughout the weekend.
 
Since the beginning of last season, there have been major changes to Cowboy Diamond. Fans will notice more this year as a new backstop netting has been erected along with the repainting of the outfield walls. In addition to the installation of the infield turf last season, the dugouts will feature brand new matting to complete the makeover for the playing area.
 
Leading the charge into 2016 is third-year skipper Justin Hill. The McNeese head coach, who returns 18 lettermen from last year's squad, looks to guide the Pokes to a third consecutive 30+ win season and fifth straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
The Cowboys return 18 letterwinners from last year's squad, including six everyday position players. Freshman All-American Joe Provenzano returns to the infield as well as All-Southland Conference selection Connor Crane. Veteran catcher Cameron Toole begins his final season behind the dish while Matt Gallier makes the move to third base. Also returning is Lewis Guilbeau who spent last season in the outfield.
 
McNeese is expected to fill in the gaps with the likes of junior college and freshman faces.
 
McNeese returns over 75 percent of all innings thrown last season with an experienced and talented pitching staff, including the entire starting rotation and key reserves that helped record the program's lowest ERA in over twenty years.
 
Senior right-hander Kaleb Fontenot will get the start Friday night. Fontenot was the catalyst for the McNeese tossers last season leading in victories (7), innings pitched (93.1) and strikeouts (92).
 
Freshman Bryan King will get the nod Saturday afternoon while senior Ethan Stremmel will see the bump on Sunday. Last year, Stremmel saw most of his time during mid-week contests but has transitioned over to the weekend starting rotation. 
 
The Cowboys welcome 16 newcomers to the squad, including 11 freshman and five transfers.
 
Southern Illinois, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, posted a 12-46 record in 2015 along with a 6-15 mark in league play. The Salukis return 23 players that saw action last season, including six position starters.

SIU will counter with left-hander Joey Marciano on Friday, right-hander Chad Whitmer on Saturday and righty Michael Baird on Sunday.
 
Following this weekend's action, the Cowboys hit the road for a four-game road stretch beginning with a Tuesday contest at nationally-ranked Houston and a three-game series at UTSA.
 
Southern Illinois (0-0) at McNeese (0-0)
 
Dates/Times
Friday, Feb. 19 – 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 20 – 3 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 21 – Noon
 
Probable Starters
Friday: RHP Kaleb Fontenot (MSU) vs. LHP Joey Marciano (SIU)
Saturday : LHP Bryan King (MSU) vs. RHP Chad Whitmer (SIU)
Sunday: RHP Ethan Stremmel (MSU) vs. RHP Michael Baird (SIU)
 
Internet
www.McNeeseSports.com - live video, audio, stats on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To join the Cowboy Insider, visit McNeeseSports.com/watch.