LAKE CHARLES, La. – In a back-and-forth battle at Joe Miller Ballpark, McNeese Baseball (16-16, 2-5 SLC) was narrowly edged out by UIW (18-14, 3-4 SLC) 8-6 Friday night.
 
Four batters for the Cowboys collected multiple hits in the performance with juniors Conner Westenburg and Simon Larranaga each earning two hits alongside seniors Cooper Hext and Peyton LeJeune.
 
UIW took an early lead in the initial inning by four runs before the Pokes plated a strong three-run third to cut the lead back to one. Immediately after in the bottom of the fourth, senior Braden Duhon came home on a sacrifice fly by Grant Mangrum, a junior, to even the score.
 
As the game sat at four a piece, Hext made his way onto base per a single before Larranaga stepped to the plate and sent a ball out of left field, putting the Pokes ahead 6-4. The Cardinals plated four runs in the top of the sixth to end the scoring on the night.

Larranaga and Mangrum each collected a home run for the two extra-base hits earned by the Cowboys. Larranaga further posted a season-high three RBI performance.
 
Both teams return to the diamond at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon to extend the three-game series.
 
Pitching Appearances
Cameron LeJeune: 5.1 IP, 1 K, 10 H, 0 BB, 5 ER
JT Moeller: 3.2 IP, 2 K's, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 ER
 
McNeese Notes
- Simon Larranaga collected a season-high three RBIs
- Collecting multi-hit games in the outing were: Hext (11^th), Westenburg (10^th), P. LeJeune (6^th) Larranaga (3^rd)
- Seven batters combined for 11 hits on the night.
- Moeller has appeared in five of the team's prior six games.
- Mangrum and Larranaga each homered in the outing.