HAMMOND- The McNeese Cowboys out hit the Lions and rallied back from an early 3-0 hole, but fell short in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Southeastern Louisiana on an unearned winning run in the eighth inning Wednesday night in Hammond.

The Lions (25-20, 14-7 SLC) scored three runs in the first on one hit, two walks, and two hit-by-pitches to take an early 3-0 lead after the first inning.

McNeese (23-22, 9-12 SLC) responded in the third and fourth inning, scoring one run in each off on an RBI groundout by Nate Fisbeck and an RBI double by Jacob Stracner, to cut the lead to 3-2 after the fourth inning.

Zach Rider (0-0) got the start for the Cowboys on Wednesday night for his first start of the year. Rider would finish the night with only 1.0 inning pitched, gave up three runs on one hit, two walks, two hit batters, struck out one and got the no decision.

After Rider's one inning, the Cowboys bullpen would be masterful, throwing six combined arms for the final eight innings. The McNeese bullpen combined for only three hits, one run allowed, and seven strikeouts.

The only run the bullpen gave up was unearned, due to a costly fielding error by Reid Bourque in the eighth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Carson Maxwell lead the inning off with a double off the right center wall, giving the Cowboys the tying run on second base and no outs. Unfortunately, the next three Cowboy batter would strikeout swinging to end the game and strand Maxwell on second.

Aidan Anderson was credited with the loss, his fifth credited loss on the season.

McNeese will be back on the field Friday night in a weekend series against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at 6 p.m. in Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
KEY INNINGS
1st | The Lions scored three runs on one hit, two walks, and two batters hit-by-pitch to take an early 3-0 lead.

3rd | In the top of the inning, the Cowboys plated their first run. Jacob Stracner led off with a single through the left side of the infield, followed by a walk by Reid Bourque. Payton Harden then reached base on a fielder's choice to give the Cowboys a man on first and third with one out for Nate Fisbeck. Fisbeck then hit an RBI groundout to bring the score to 3-1 after the third inning.

4th | In the fourth, Jake Dickerson reached on an infield single, Dustin Duhon reached on a single in to left field. Then Jacob Stracner hit a hard ball to left field to score Dickerson from second base and bring the Lions lead to 3-2 after the fourth.

8th | To lead off the inning, Payton Harden reached base on a single and then would steal second base, giving Julian Gonzales a man on second with only one out. Gonzales would deliver an RBI single in to left center field to plate Harden and tie the game 3-3. In the bottom half of the inning the Lions would score one run on a McNeese error to reclaim the lead 4-3 and bring the score to its final.

MCNEESE NOTES

Offense:

The Cowboys were led offensively by Jacob Stracner, he finished 3-for-4 from the plate with one run scored, two singles, one double, and one RBI.

Carson Maxwell also had a good night, going 2-for-4 from the plate including a double.

Pitching:

Senior right-handed pitcher Zach Rider got the start for the Cowboys in Wednesday's game. Rider would finish with 1.0 IP, gave up three runs on only one hit, strikeout one, and got the no decision.

After Rider's one inning, Hunter Reeves, Bryan King, Peyton McLemore, Jonathan Ellison, Cayne Ueckert, and Aidan Anderson each got innings of work. They combined for 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, and 7 K.

Anderson was credited with the loss.
 
ON DECK
The Cowboys will be at home for their last home stand, beginning with a three-game conference series this weekend starting on Friday and ending on Sunday against SFA. After the Lumberjacks the Cowboys will host Prairie View on Wednesday May 8.
 
 STAY CONNECTED
Follow McNeese Baseball on Twitter at @McNeeseBaseball and "Like" McNeese Baseball on Facebook