LAKE CHARLES – McNeese jumped out to a 1-0 first-inning lead but Nicholls scored seven straight runs over the next five innings then held off the Cowboys in an 8-5 win on Sunday and capturing the Southland Conference series.
 
McNeese fell to 16-8 overall and 1-2 in league play while dropping its first weekend series since the season opener against Creighton. Nicholls improved to 15-11 and 2-1.
 
The Colonels finished with 17 hits in the game as every player in the lineup recorded at least one while five had two or more hits. McNeese recorded seven hits in the game and was held to just one hit through the first five innings.
 
Catcher Andruw Gonzales had the big stick on the day, going 3-for-5 with a home run, RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Braden Duhon went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
 
McNeese starting pitcher Zach Voss (1-3) took the loss after he allowed four runs on eight hits in four innings of action. Nicholls reliever Josh Mancuso (2-1) picked up the win despite giving up three runs in two innings.
 
Notebook:
• Cowboy DH Tré Obregon III extended his streak to 21 straight games reaching base when he drew a fourth inning walk. He hit an RBI double in the ninth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine straight games.
• SS Josh Leslie knocked in a run on Sunday to increase his SLC leading RBI total to 35 on the season.
• McNeese will conclude its 12-game home stand on Tuesday when it hosts Southern at 6 p.m.