LAKE CHARLES – Nate Fisbeck was the difference maker in Sunday's Southland Conference series finale between the McNeese baseball team and Southeastern Louisiana as the freshman provided a two-RBI single with two outs in the eighth inning to help lead the Cowboys to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Lions at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
After having replaced an injured Matt Gallier in Saturday afternoon's contest, Fisbeck filled a big role and came up big as he faced a bases loaded, two out situation late in the ballgame. The Lions looked to capitalize but instead watched as The Woodlands, Texas native laced a single deep into centerfield to bring in the runs that would end up becoming the game-winners.
 
It was just the third loss in league play for Southeastern Louisiana (28-12, 15-3 SLC) while the Cowboys maintained its spot as one of the top four teams in the standings as they improved to 23-14 overall and 13-8 in Southland action.
 
Sunday's game was the fifth start of the season for Fisbeck who entered the contest having hit just four times this season. Sunday's hit was all that he needed though while his play on the field proved himself as one of the most dependable guys to come off the bench. He ended the weekend with some great plays at third putting out two and assisting three times.
 
"They (Southeastern) are one of the top pitching staffs in the nation for a reason," said head coach Justin Hill. "We had guys on and got the right swings at the right time so I was really proud of our guys fighting and coming back. That was as impressive as it could be. Southeastern had a lot of good fortune with the hits they had but I think everything we go we earned today."
 
McNeese put together a five-hit affair during the day and were led by freshman designated hitter Austin Nelson's two hit outing as he drove in two runs, scored once and walked twice. The Pokes were efficient at the plate and on the mound having struck out only five times, walked six times and left just four on base.
 
Southeastern Louisiana began the day by jumping out to a 4-0 lead over McNeese through the first two frames. The Pokes received some help offensively in the third inning as senior Connor Crane launched a two-out, three-run tater that climbed his team back to within one run of the Lions.
 
After SLU scored a run to go up 5-3 in the sixth inning, McNeese responded with another multiple-run home run as Nelson sailed his first home run of the year over the left field wall to knot the score up at five runs apiece.
 
Nelson was by far one of the most entertaining Cowboy batters to watch over the weekend as he set career highs in almost every offensive category. The Sulphur native hit four times during the series, including a double and a homer, walked three times, drove in four runs and scored three times.
 
The Lions had a chance to do more damage as they loaded the bases in the seventh inning but it was the arm of junior Trent Fontenot who came in and shut down one of the top offensives in the conference. With the bases loaded and no outs, Fontenot punched out three straight SLU batters to retire the inning and keep McNeese's chances of a win alive.
Fontenot has become known for coming and getting the Pokes out of a jam during the game. On the season, batters are 1-for-13 with four RBI against Fontenot with the bases loaded while he has struck out eight of those batters.
 
Junior reliever Collin Kober (2-1) picked up the win for McNeese after dealing 1.1 frames and allowed just one hit during that span along with a strikeout. Starting pitcher Ethan Stremmel allowed early runs but settled in and worked an efficient 6.0 innings and struck out four in the process.
 
The Cowboys will return to action Tuesday evening when they make the trip north for a mid-week game at Louisiana Tech. The contest is slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch and can be caught live on Twitter by following @McNeeseBaseball.
 
McNeese 7, Southeastern La. 6 (Apr 24, 2016 at Lake Charles, La.)
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Southeastern La..... 310 001 010  -  6 10  1      (28-13, 15-3 SLC)
McNeese............. 003 002 02X  -  7  5  0      (23-14, 13-8 SLC)
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Pitchers: Southeastern La. - Carlini, Domenick; Green, Josh(5); Granier, Kade(8) and
Eades, Chris; Roberson, Sam. McNeese - Stremmel, Ethan; Fontenot, Trent(7); Kober, Collin(8)
and Toole, Cameron.
Win-Kober, Collin(2-1)  Loss-Green, Josh(0-1)  T-2:37  A-744
HR SLU - Mount, Derrick (2).
HR MCN - Crane, Connor (8); Nelson, Austin (1).
Weather: 78; Partly Sunnny; Wind: S9
Stremmel, E. faced 2 batters in the 7th.