LAKE CHARLES - The McNeese Cowboys (2-2) will continue its season-opening eight-game homestand as they host the Alcorn Braves of the Southwestern Athletic Conference for a four-game series in Lake Charles.
The Rundown
Opponent: Alcorn Braves (0-0)
Date: February 25, 26 (DH), 27
Site: Lake Charles, La. | Joe Miller Ballpark
Time: 6 PM, 2 PM (Second game 45 minutes after), 1 PM
Live Stats
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Friday: Chance Stone (0-0, 3.86) vs. Andrew Meadows (0-1, 10.80 Last Season)
Saturday G1: (TBA) Saturday G2: (TBA)
Sunday: (TBA)
Series History:
Alcorn and McNeese are meeting for the 2nd time and first since February 26, 2019 in Lake Charles. McNeese won the first meeting 8-1. Current Cowboy OF Payton Harden, OF Julian Gonzales, SS Reid Bourque, and C Schuyler Thibodaux all played in the contest.
Last Time Out:
The Pokes opened the season with a series victory over American East favorite Stony Brook before dropping a pitcher's duel on Tuesday night to Houston. SBU Recap: Cowboys won game one 6-4, lost game two 3-7, and won the finale 4-1. Third baseman Kade Morris hit .500 (6-12) in the series along with the go-ahead three-run home run Friday night in the sixth inning to put the Pokes up 5-4. The bullpen pitched 5.2 innings of one-run ball and was able to fight their way out of jams as evidenced by the nine base-runners stranded by SBU for the game. Christian Vega earned the win pitching 2.2 innings of one-run ball in relief. The Pokes dropped game two despite Ty Abraham's solid day on the mound pitching to a tune of 5.0 innings with one earned run and five strikeouts. In the rubber match, JUCO transfer Grant Rogers was spectacular in his McNeese debut only being on the mound of 19 total minutes as he worked at his pace all day long. Rogers did not allow a baserunner until the fourth inning and pitched six innings of two-hit ball with eight punch-outs. Rogers garnered Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honors following his debut. Cameron Foster recorded saves in both of the wins as he is currently tied for the Division 1 lead. The Pokes were unable to pull out the victory on Tuesday after getting eight-plus innings of no-hit baseball from their bullpen. The highlight of the night for McNeese was a game-tying two-run home run to left-field by DH Tre' Obregon III in the third inning. The Cowboy pitching staff has posted a 2.25 ERA through the first four games.
Brad Burckel, Davis Burgin, Antonio Gauthier, Andruw Gonzales, Burrell Jones, Grant Rogers, Brian Shadrick, Tyler Stone, and Zane Zeppuhar each made their McNeese debuts over those four games.
Personnel:
The team enters the 2022 season with three preseason all-conference selections – redshirt junior outfielder Payton Harden, redshirt senior designated-hitter Tre' Obregon, and redshirt senior outfielder Julian Gonzales. To go along with those three, redshirt senior shortstop Reid Bourque, redshirt senior third basemen Kade Morris, redshirt junior first basemen Peyton Johnson, redshirt junior catcher Schuyler Thibodaux, and redshirt junior transfers Brad Burckel and Antonio Gauthier are expected to round out the starting lineup at second base and right field, respectively.
Scouting The Braves:
This will be opening weekend for Alcorn as they have yet to play a game. They finished the 2021 season 7-20 overall and 6-16 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference before making a run at the SWAC tournament title. They are managed by Reginald Williams who begins his first season as head coach at Alcorn State. He comes to the Braves after spending four years in the Cincinnati Reds organization, where he recently served as the development coach for the teams' Class A club, the Daytona Tortugas. Graduate student Andrew Meadows will start on the mound for the Braves on Friday. During the 2021 season, the Atlanta, Ga. native made 10 appearances for an 0-1 record. He pitched 10.0 innings for a 10.80 ERA with 12 hits against, 16 runs (12 earned), 17 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Opponents saw a .293 batting average against him. At the plate, Tyler Daniels returns to the Braves lineup. During the 2021 season, he played and started in 28 games with a .278 batting average for 27 hits (three doubles and one triple), 14 ribbies, and 15 runs.
Up Next:
Following the four-game series against Alcorn, McNeese will travel to Baton Rouge for its first road contest of the year against reigning SWAC champion Southern Jaguars. First pitch is scheduled for 6 PM at Lee-Hines Stadium.
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