NEW ORLEANS, La. – Despite a three-run top of the ninth, McNeese Baseball (17-19, 2-7 SLC) fell in the series opener to New Orleans (22-15, 7-3 SLC) as they had a walk-off rally at Maestri Field Friday night.
 
Throughout the night, both teams battled back and forth as the game was tied up three times throughout the outing. McNeese plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth to take a 5-4 lead before the Privateers plated two for the win.
 
Poke Nation took an early lead in the top of the third on a charge by junior Conner Westenburg. He reached base early on a hit-by-pitch before stealing two consecutive bases to get to 10 on the year and end up on third. Westenburg came home on a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 advantage. New Orleans scored in the bottom of the frame to tie up the game before taking the lead in the fourth.
 
Facing a one-run disadvantage heading into the fifth, the Cowboys tied the game up at two a piece with an RBI fielder's choice spurred by Braden Duhon. Hext scored on the play. The Privateers plated two in the sixth to regain the lead.
 
Two runs down entering the ninth, McNeese made the game equal once again starting off with a solo bomb from redshirt senior Chase Keeton to left field. With Westenburg sitting on second a couple at-bats later, senior Elliot Hebert hit the team's 15^th triple to bring in the tying run. Hebert scored on a Braden Duhon (senior) single for the 5-4 lead.
 
Westenburg became the first Cowboy in over a year to steal three or more bases in a game since Brad Burckel in March of 2023.
 
Cameron LeJeune made his seventh start of his redshirt junior campaign, striking out two and remaining in the game for 5.2 innings. Senior JT Moeller made his 17^th appearance of the season and threw three innings of work.
 
The Cowboys and Privateers continue to battle it out Saturday with a doubleheader at Maestri Field with game one beginning at 2 p.m. with game two to follow approximately 45 minutes after. Both are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available.
 
Pitching Appearances
Cameron LeJeune: 5.2 IP, 2 K's, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 ER
JT Moeller: 3.0 IP, 2 K's, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER
 
McNeese Notes
Cooper Hext extended his hitting streak to five games.
Hext collected his 12^th multi-hit game of 2024.
Peyton LeJeune moved his hitting streak to three.
Cameron LeJeune threw over 100 pitches for the second time this season.
JT Moeller made his 17^th appearance of the season, a team high.
McNeese has earned 6+ hits in 29 games this season.