LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese baseball team was plagued by another big inning surrendered to its opponent as the Bradley Braves used four runs in the fifth inning to take command of the game and drop the Pokes, 5-3, at Cowboy Diamond Friday night.
 
With the win, Bradley improved to 4-4 on the season while the Cowboys fell to a 4-5 overall mark. McNeese will try to even the series Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for a 3 o'clock start.
 
McNeese got out to a two run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning following RBI hits from designated hitter Todd Hinkley and second baseman Joe Provenzano. Hinkley led the offense with two hits, a run and an RBI on the night while Provenzano was just one of three Pokes to drive in a run.
 
Starting pitcher Kaleb Fontenot (1-1) tossed six strong innings for the Pokes and struck out a season high eight batters. However, the Ville Platte native ran into a hurdle during the fifth frame surrendering the four runs that would give Bradley the lead.
 
Trailing by two runs, the Braves were jumpstarted by a two-run homer from centerfielder Andy Shadid that tied the ballgame up at 2-2. With runners on the corners, Tyler Leffler doubled to tack on two more runs to give Bradley a 4-2 advantage over the Cowboys.
 
"I thought we came out flat tonight and that is my responsibility," said head coach Justin Hill. "I thought Kaleb (Fontenot) threw the ball well early and their guy had a big home run to tie it up. I just thought we were a little out of whack on some stuff. We missed some signs and I think that ended up costing us. That was frustrating and we just didn't play as good as they did."
 
Crane's RBI hit in the sixth inning cut into the Bradley lead as he singled into left field and drove home freshman Shane Selman. The Pokes trailed by one run before Bradley plated an insurance run in the ninth to gain back its two run lead and the eventual victory.
 
The Pokes had a chance to take the lead in the seventh inning as shortstop Will Fox walked and catcher Cameron Toole singled while a bad throw landed both runners in scoring position. To no avail though could the Cowboys drive in any offense and left the runners on base.
 
The Cowboy bullpen followed up Fontenot's outing with three relief pitchers who combined for three innings and just one run given up and one hit.
 
Both teams collected seven hits, committed one error and left five runners stranded.