LAKE CHARLES - You couldn't have painted the picture any better for junior left-hander Austin Sanders who was superior on the mound Tuesday night and helped McNeese roll to a 4-1 victory over No. 24 Houston for the squad's second win of the season over a ranked opponent at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
Sanders (2-2) was epic in his fifth start of the season as he picked up his second win. What most fans aren't aware of is that both of his wins this year have come against ranked opponents as he helped defeat UL-Lafayette back in March. He allowed just one run to score and scattered three hits as he faced just four over the minimum in seven innings. He struck out a career-high five batters along the way while having allowed just one walk.
 
It is the first time that McNeese (15-11) has defeated two ranked opponents in the same year under current skipper Justin Hill. The Pokes defeated No. 16 UL-Lafayette, 7-2, earlier this season.
 
McNeese picked up its first win over Houston (17-11) since the 2011 season.
 
The Pokes got out to a great start in the first frame with three runs on three hits that was sparked by senior Connor Crane's RBI-double while senior Lewis Guilbeau and freshman Nate Fisbeck also drove in runs to make it a 3-0 ballgame. McNeese is now 6-2 in games when scoring in the first inning and 11-4 when putting up the first run.
 
Guilbeau knocked in another run in the third inning to extend the Cowboys' lead to a 4-1 cushion. It is the fourth time this year that Guilbeau has recorded two or more RBI in a game.
 
Houston would cut the lead to three runs in the in the fifth frame but would be shut out the rest of the way by Sanders and the Cowboy bullpen.
 
Crane led the way offensively for McNeese on the night with his 10th multiple-hit game on the season as he batted 3-for-4 with a two runs and an RBI. Five total Cowboys collected a hit against the Cougars in the contest.
 
Trent Fontenot was credited with his first save of the season after tossing the last inning and allowed only one hit during the appearance.
 
McNeese held the advantage in hits over Houston, 7-4, while the Cougars exited the game having committed one error.

The Pokes will return to Southland Conference action this weekend in a three-game series at New Orleans.
 
McNeese 4, Houston 1 (Apr 05, 2016 at Lake Charles, La.)
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Houston............. 000 010 000  -  1  4  1      (17-11)
McNeese............. 301 000 00X  -  4  7  0      (15-11)
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Pitchers: Houston - KING, John; CUMBIE, Trey(4); HERNANDEZ, Nick(7) and WONG, Connor;
CAMPBELL, Jacob. McNeese - Sanders, Austin; Rider, Zach(8); Briggs, Austin(8);
Fontenot, Trent(9) and Toole, Cameron.
Win-Sanders, Austin(2-2)  Save-Fontenot, Trent(1)  Loss-KING, John(3-3)  T-2:17  A-441
Weather: 76; Sunny; Wind: SSW 10
King faced 1 batter in the 4th.