LAKE CHARLES – A home run launched by the opposition doomed the McNeese baseball team late in Saturday afternoon's contest as Southern Illinois evened the weekend series with a 2-1 victory over the Cowboys.
 
McNeese (1-1) will be back on the field Sunday when it looks to take the series against Southern Illinois (1-1) in the rubber match. The first pitch is slated for noon.
 
A pitcher's duel controlled the majority of the weekend's second game but was crashed by the Salukis' third baseman Ryan Sabo, who took advantage of a fresh pitching change in the eighth and hit a solo homer to the left field wall. The run would eventually lock up the win for SIU.
 
Freshman Bryan King had a solid outing in his collegiate debut with just one run given up off of four hits through seven innings. He struck out six batters during the game and allowed no walks.
 
Salukis' starter Chad Whitmer picked up the win after tossing six innings and giving up just one run and scattered four hits. He had six strikeouts.
 
Another freshman, Grant Anderson, worked the final two innings and fanned three batters in the process. His first outing was spoiled by the late homer but he and King combined for nine total strikeouts on the day.
 
The Pokes were positioned to come out on top but fell victim to three double plays by Southern Illinois and were a few hits short from moving base runners. McNeese left nine runners on base, including six in the final three innings.
 
Southern Illinois scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth with a double-RBI from first baseman Logan Blackfan. The Salukis held the lead for only half an inning before the Cowboys mounted a comeback.
 
The Pokes struck back in the bottom of the fifth with a clutch double from junior Will Fox. Fox's hit allowed designated hitter Todd Hinkley to knot the game at 1-1.
 
Six Cowboys collected hits in the game with Hinkley leading the way with a hit and a run scored while Fox drove in the only run.
 
Southern Illinois 2, McNeese 1 (Feb 20, 2016 at Lake Charles, La.)
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Southern Illinois... 000 100 010  -  2  5  1      (1-1)
McNeese............. 000 010 000  -  1  6  0      (1-1)
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Pitchers: Southern Illinois - Whitmer,Chad; Shimkus,Anthony(7); Netemeyer,Ryan(8) and
Martin,Taylor. McNeese - King, Bryan; Anderson, Grant(8) and Toole, Cameron.
Win-Shimkus,Anthony(1-0)  Save-Netemeyer,Ryan(1)  Loss-Anderson, Grant(0-1)  T-2:15  A-511
HR SIU - Sabo,Ryan (2).
Weather: Partly Cloudy; 75; Wind: 12 SW