LAKE CHARLES – Former McNeese All-Southland Conference second baseman Nate Fisbeck and starting pitcher Jonathan Ellison have signed independent professional baseball contracts with the Boise Hawks and began playing this past weekend.
 
Boise is a member of the Pioneer League which is a partner of Major League Baseball.
 
Fisbeck made a splash in his debut on Saturday after going 3 for 5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a game against Idaho Falls and was named player of the game for his output. He followed that with a 1 for 4 showing with a run scored on Sunday. In two games he's hitting .444 (4 for 9) with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Ellison got the start in his debut last Thursday and threw three innings, striking out two and allowing five runs.
 
This past spring Fisbeck earned all-conference honors after hitting .302 with nine home runs and a league-high 63 RBIs. He started in all 62 games in helping the Cowboys win their second straight conference tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance. He added 17 doubles, two triples and scored 44 runs.
 
Ellison topped the team with a 2.99 ERA to go along with a 5-3 record. He started in 14 games and made 15 appearances, threw 75.1 innings and struck out 60 batters while holding opponents to a .215 batting average.
 
Fisbeck and Ellison become the second and third Cowboy players from the 2021 season to sign professional contracts. Two weeks ago, pitcher Will Dion inked his deal with the Cleveland Indians after being selected in the ninth round of the MLB Draft.