LAKE CHARLES, La. – Marking the first time in program history, the McNeese baseball program opens its season against a ranked opponent in No. 8 Texas A&M Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Blue Bell Park.
 
"This is a big deal because it's opening day, it's a great program, great coaching staff, facility, resources and everything with their athletic department," said head coach Justin Hill. "It's a great opportunity."
 
McNeese is coming off a 35-23 season in which the team made its 11^th consecutive Southland Conference Tournament, going 2-2 after winning the play-in game.
 
On the squad, 23 members of the team return with only one of the nine usual starters being in the same position as 2023 on the field. Braden Duhon, a senior, is the lone member to look at starting in the same position after being a staple for the blue and gold in right field. Seventeen newcomers are joining the squad, looking to elevate the program to the best of their abilities.

Prior to the season, senior Cooper Hext was announced as an SLC All-Conference Second Team member as an outfielder. He brings the highest returning batting average for the Cowboys at .291, earning 65 hits with 25 coming as extra-base hits. Hext was strong on the field for the Cowboys as well, earning recognition on the SLC All-Defensive team in 2023.
 
Hill announced the projected starter for the Cowboys to be senior right-handed pitcher Zach Voss. He made eight appearances with six starts over the course of the 2023 campaign and finished with a 4.85 ERA. Voss is slated against Ryan Prager, a lefty on the mound for the Aggies.
 
"He started the fall game against LSU and gave us a great effort there," said Hill about Voss. "He's earned the opportunity."
 
Looking to add depth to the pitching staff are returners Ty Abraham (redshirt senior) and Cameron LeJeune (redshirt junior). The duo combined for a 4-3 record in 2023 with 41 total appearances and seven starts, the latter all being earned by Abraham.

Notable players that may make an early appearance donning the blue and gold include Hext, Duhon, and junior Conner Westenburg in the outfield. Possible faces manning the diamond include junior Connor Schneider, redshirt sophomore Braley Hollins, senior Peyton LeJeune, and redshirt senior Chase Keeton. Behind the plate may see rotating action.

A&M is one of three ranked opponents the Cowboys will face this season and one of five Power 5 opponents on the schedule.
 
First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. against the Aggies on Friday with times of 2 p.m. for Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
Weekend Series
Fri., Feb. 16 at Texas A&M | 6 p.m. | SEC Network + | Voss vs. Prager
Sat., Feb. 17 at Texas A&M | 2 p.m. | SEC Network + | TBA vs. TBA
Sun., Feb. 18 at Texas A&M | 1 p.m. | SEC Network + | TBA vs. TBA
 
Series Vs. Texas A&M
• A&M holds the all-time series advantage at 25-5 with the most recent match up taking place February 27, 2008.
• McNeese last defeated the Aggies in 1986 6-2 in College Station. The Cowboys swept the Aggies in the three-game series for their longest winning streak against A&M.
• Every meeting between the teams has occurred in College Station, the first match up coming in 1976 and last in 2008.
• McNeese has scored 119 total runs in the series for an average of just under four runs a game.
 
Last Five
2/27/08     Texas A&M 8, McNeese 4
2/26/08     Texas A&M 8, McNeese 3
5/15/07     Texas A&M 11, McNeese 6
2/13/07     Texas A&M 5, McNeese 4
2/18/96     Texas A&M 9, McNeese 3