NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A trio of errors proved costly for the McNeese baseball team Friday night as Stephen F. Austin took advantage and scored eight unanswered runs to take the first game of the Southland Conference weekend series with an 8-2 victory over the Cowboys in Nacogdoches.
The Pokes (23-19, 13-12 SLC) looked to have everything under control enjoying a 2-0 lead as they entered the bottom of the fourth frame. It was in the SFA (24-22, 12-13 SLC) side of the inning that things began to slip away from McNeese. The Cowboys allowed the Lumberjacks to get on the board on a passed ball and followed up with three fielding errors that led to two more runs scored by the opposition.
McNeese looked to get back on track as it faced a bases loaded situation in the top of the seventh inning but was unable to provide any offense and left the side with the bags juiced. It was the second time on the night that the Pokes had left runners stranded at every bag after doing the same in the third frame.
With a one run lead, SFA capitalized once again by exploding for a three-run scoring spree in the bottom of the seventh to go up by four runs over the Cowboys.
The Lumberjacks would scrape across two more runs in the next frame to extend its lead to an 8-2 score.
Starting pitcher
Kaleb Fontenot (4-5) took the loss for the Pokes after having worked six innings and gave up only one earned run. He fanned three batters along the way while having allowed five walks. Despite the loss, Friday's game was Fontenot's seventh quality start this season. He now owns a 1.96 ERA through 69.0 frames along with 63 strikeouts during league play in 2016.
McNeese designated hitter
Austin Nelson tacked the first run of the game on the scoreboard during the top of the third inning following a sacrifice fly to give the Pokes a 1-0 lead.
Senior outfielder
Lewis Guilbeau extended the score to two runs for the Pokes in the fourth frame as he launched his first home run of the season over the left field wall.
Junior
Matt Gallier provided the only multiple-hit effort of the night for the Cowboys as he batted 2-for-3 with a walk. Guilbeau and senior
Cameron Toole were the only other Pokes to hit in the game.
Stephen F. Austin left 11 on base while McNeese stranded 10 total during the game. The Jacks hit 10 times while limiting the Cowboys to just four.
The two teams will be back in action Saturday afternoon with first pitch slated for a 2 o'clock start. The game can be viewed live via live stream at SFAJacks.com.
Stephen F. Austin 8, McNeese 2 (May 06, 2016 at Nacogdoches, Texas)
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McNeese............. 001 100 000 - 2 4 3 (23-19, 13-12)
Stephen F. Austin... 000 300 32X - 8 10 1 (24-22, 12-13)
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Pitchers: McNeese - Fontenot, Kaleb; Rider, Zach(7); Briggs, Austin(7); Anderson, Grant(8) and
Toole, Cameron; Duhon, Dustin. Stephen F. Austin - Ledet, P.; Starks, T.(7); Hearn, A.(9) and
Boxwell, T.; Kahawaii, C..
Win-Ledet, P.(6-1) Loss-Fontenot, Kaleb(4-5) T-3:09 A-224
HR MCN - Guilbeau, Lewis (1).
Weather: Clear, beautiful, low 80s
