LAKE CHARLES- The McNeese Cowboys (12-12, 1-2 SLC) will face off against the Southern Jaguars for the second time this season Wednesday night at Joe Miller Ballpark.
The Rundown
Opponent: Southern Jaguars (6-17, 3-3 SWAC)
Date: March 30
Site: Joe Miller Ballpark | Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Time: 6 PM
Live Stats
Probable Pitching Matchup:
RHP Ty Abraham (2-3, 3.76) vs. TBA
Series History:
McNeese and Southern are meeting for the 38th time overall, the Cowboys lead the all-time series 21-15-1. The two teams squared off on March 1st in Baton Rouge with the Pokes prevailing 7-3. OF Julian Gonzales hit two home runs and drove in three while Christian Vega, Brian Shadrick, and Cameron Foster pitched 5.1 innings of one-run baseball in relief to help secure the victory.
Last Time Out:
The Cowboys opened Southland Conference play last weekend hosting Houston Baptist. The Cowboys dropped the first game in 13 innings and game two 6-4 before scoring the last 12 runs of game three to come back and win 13-7.
The Cowboys pulled off an ultra-rare triple steal in game one as Braden Duhon stole home, Josh Leslie stole third, and Julian Gonzales stole second. The Cowboy's comeback in game three was started by Kade Morris' pinch-hit two-run shot in the seventh, followed by a 10-run eighth inning. Josh Leslie hit a three-run homer and a two-RBI single in the frame, and Braden Duhon's RBI triple gave the Pokes the lead.
About McNeese:
The Pokes are currently leading the SLC with a .286 batting average and a slugging percentage of .432. The Cowboys are also ten hits behind Texas A&M - CC (243) for the conference lead despite playing two fewer games. On the mound, the Cowboy's season ERA of 4.16 and strikeout total of 235 is also atop the SLC.
The Cowboys have stolen the fifth-most bases in the nation (57). Payton Harden (12), Julian Gonzales/Brad Burckel (10), and Reid Bourque (9) are leading the charge on the base path.
Brad Burckel (.368 - 2nd in SLC), Payton Harden (.340), and Braden Duhon (.315) lead the Cowboys in hitting. Burckel leads the club with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
RP Cameron Foster's six saves are tied for the fourth-most in College Baseball. He's 1-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.
About Southern:
Picked to finish first in 2022 SWAC Baseball West Division, the Jagaurs are currently 3-3 in conference after taking two of three over the weekend vs. Grambling. Southern also dropped a midweek game at Mississippi State last Wednesday, 14-5. Southern is led by Preseason All-SWAC selections in DH O'Neill Burgos, OF Tremaine Spears, C Taj Porter, and SP Enrique Ozoa. JJ Rollon currently leads their offense batting .333 with 12 ribbies to go along with a team-high 25 hits. Burgos is hitting .307 with three home runs and 15 runs batted in.
Weekly Press Conference: Head Coach Justin Hill
What's Next?:
Following the midweek matchup against Southern, McNeese will travel to Nicholls for a three-game series starting Friday night at 6 p.m.
Stay Connected:
For live updates and all things Cowboy Baseball, follow the Pokes on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
