LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese Cowboy baseball team will open up the 2020 season on Friday when it plays host to Mississippi Valley State in a four-game series at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
First pitch for Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by a double header on Saturday starting at 2 p.m., and will conclude with game four at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
 
The Cowboys return all three top offensive players from last season, including Collegiate Baseball preseason All-American Nate Fisbeck (.304, 12 HR, 50 RBI), preseason first team all-conference DH Clayton Rasbeary (.304, 10 HR, 49 RBI)., and preseason second team all-conference 1B Jake Dickerson (.313, 3 HR, 35 RBI).
 
On the mound, sophomore Will Dion earned the opening day start. It will be Dion's first collegiate start after serving as a key bullpen arm last season for the Cowboys, finishing with a team best ERA of 1.98, 62 K's, 6 saves, and only 11 earned runs in 50 innings pitched.
 
The starters for Saturday's double header will be sophomore Brett Payne and senior transfer Kale Breaux, Payne being the game one starter and Breaux will be game two. Sunday's starter has yet to be determined.
 
Brett Payne had an up and down freshman year in 2019, but showed what he is capable of in a masterful performance against LSU in Baton Rouge last season. In that game, Payne willed the Cowboys to a 2-0 victory after pitching six shutout innings, striking out five batters, and only allowing 2 total hits against the then number 12 team in the country.
 
Kale Breaux, a Sulphur native, joins the Cowboys from Mississippi State where he spent the first four years of his collegiate career before transferring to McNeese for his fifth and final year. Breaux shows a lot of promise in the Cowboys rotation. Coming out of Sulphur High School, Breaux was a three-time all-state member, Collegiate Baseball All-American, and the Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year.
 
Other returners who are expected to be in the lineup include catcher Brett Whelton (.255, 13 H, 10 RBI), shortstop Reid Bourque (.222, 48 H, 24 RBI), outfielder Payton Harden (.294, 65 H, 23 RBI), and outfielder Julian Gonzales (.253, 25 H, 10 RBI).
 
The Cowboys will be opening up at home for the sixth time in seven seasons under Hill and the first ever meeting between McNeese and Mississippi Valley State.
 
ABOUT THE WEEKEND
• Something new for this season, the Cowgirl Kickers will be driving the new shuttle service that will allow Cowboy fans the choice of being picked up from their vehicle in the parking lot and brought to the front gate, or further if needed, and then after the game brought back.
• At Friday's game there will be a Diamond Necklace Giveaway to a lucky fan. Each person that enters the ballpark will receive a free ticket into the drawing and those who want multiple entries can purchase an them for $1 a piece with all the proceeds going to foster and adopted kids. The winner will be announced during the 5^th inning of the game.
• Saturday at the ballpark will be Foster and Adoption Kids Appreciation Day
• Sunday kids get in free
• Like last season kids will have the chance to run the bases after the game, but this season it will be available every game, not just on Sunday's
 
UP TO THE PLATE
McNeese (0-0, 0-0 SLC) vs Mississippi Valley State (0-0, 0-0 SWAC)
February 14-16 | Joe Miller Ballpark, Lake Charles, LA
Watch Live | Live Stats | Live Audio
All-Time Series: First matchup
 
ON THE OPPONENTS
• Mississippi Valley State had an 8-27 record in 2019.
• This will be both Coach Hill and McNeese's first matchup against the Delta Devils.
•  The Cowboys are 129-21-1 against SWAC school's all-time.
 
TICKETS
• Tickets for every game will be on sale for:
$15- reserved seating (limited available)
$9- General Admission
$5- Kids age 12 and under
Free- Kids age 3 and under
 
ON DECK
Following the weekend series against the Delta Devils, the Cowboys will finish their quick home stand with a mid-week matchup against Louisiana Tech before hitting the road next weekend for the Mardi Gras Tournament in Thibodaux.
 
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