LAKE CHARLES, La. –  McNeese (0-3) hosts its baseball home opener Tuesday evening against UL-Lafayette (2-1) at 6 p.m. in Joe Miller Ballpark looking to earn its first victory of the season.
 
"It's a good rivalry that's good for the fans and the program," said head coach Justin Hill about facing the Ragin' Cajuns. "It's going to be competitive and we're going to jump right back in the fire."
 
McNeese is coming off a three-game weekend series against the eighth-ranked Aggies of Texas A&M where the Cowboys opened their season against a ranked opponent. A&M earned all three victories with the closest coming in a 6-1 performance on Saturday.
 
Braden Duhon has started his senior season strong to lead the team offensively with a .333 average, hitting 4-for-12 behind the plate. He added the team's lone RBI on a single to drive in junior Conner Westenburg.
 
Defensively, the Cowboys only made one error on 88 chances for a fielding percentage of .989.
 
"We're looking forward to going, playing, and opening up at home," said Hill.
 
Live stats will be available to fans to follow along live with tickets being available to purchase here. 

Midweek Matchup
Tue., Feb. 20 vs. UL-Lafayette | 6 p.m. | TBA vs. Andrew Herrmann
 
Midweek Preview 
• McNeese and UL-Lafayette first met in 1953 and the latter has owned the series lead 104-79. 
• In the last five matchups, McNeese and ULL have been close in equality with the latter barely holding a 3-2 advantage. 
• In 2023, the two teams split the season with McNeese winning in Lake Charles 5-4 and the Ragin' Cajuns winning in Lafayette 5-3. 
• The blue and gold once had an 11-game win streak over ULL from 1979-1980. 
• 1987 was the last season neither team faced off against each other, meeting every year since. 
• McNeese owns a 49-43 record when playing at home. 
 
McNeese Notes 
• McNeese is coming off a weekend series against eighth-ranked Texas A&M, the first time the Cowboys have opened the season against a ranked opponent. 
• Three batters own a .300 or better average with Braden Duhon (.333) leading the way and Chase Keeton (.300) and Braley Hollins (.300) right behind him. 
• Cameron LeJeune is one of eight pitchers in the Southland to have a 0.00 strike­out-to-walk ratio to begin the season. 
• Over the course of the season, the Pokes are scheduled to face three teams ranked in the Top 10 in the nation by D1Baseball. 
• The three ranked opponents is the most since 2016 when the Cowboys faced four, playing Houston, UL-Lafayette, LSU, and Lamar. 
• The Cowboys have 23 returners on the squad with 17 newcomers for the season. 
• McNeese has made 11 straight appearances in the SLC Tournament, qualifying each year under the tutelage of Coach Hill.
 
Scouting the Opponent 
• ULL is coming off a 2-1 weekend series win over Wright State, claiming Friday and Sunday's matchups 3-2 and 5-3 respectively. Wright State took Saturday 7-6. 
• The Ragin' Cajuns are 28th in the nation and second in the Sun Belt in doubles with nine on the season. 
• Trey LaFleur is fourth in the nation with a triple on the season as the nation's leaders all have two. 
•LaFleur is batting .600 this season with six hits in 10 at-bats this season with one double, a triple, and home run. 
• Five Southland opponents are on the docket for the Ragin' Ca­juns in 2024.
 
Last Five
3/8/2023             ULL 5, McNeese 3
2/28/2023          McNeese 5, ULL 4
3/16/2022          ULL 10, McNeese 8
4/21/2021          ULL 4, McNeese 3
3/3/2021             McNeese 4, ULL 3