LAKE CHARLES –  McNeese baseball rode the momentum of a five-inning bottom of the eighth to an 11-6 victory over Wichita State at Joe Miller Ballpark Saturday afternoon. The victory marks the first time in program history the Cowboys have won a series over the Shockers.

Redshirt sophomore Easton Dowell gave the Cowboys a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning on a solo home run sparking momentum for the Pokes. Two batters later, Westenburg hit an RBI triple to left center to drive in junior Connor Schneider for an 8-6 game. Later in the eighth with runners on the corners, senior Simon Larranaga hit a 435-foot home run out to dead center for three additional runs.
 
The second inning proved to set the tone early as the two teams wouldn't let a lead last long. The Shockers tallied three in the top half before the Pokes scored two on a single by Dowell, making it a one-run game. Senior Conner Westenburg brought in junior Larry Edwards Jr. to make it even on the scoreboard.
 
McNeese continued to slowly work up its lead in the fourth and fifth with a run coming in each inning for a 5-3 advantage.
 
The Shockers took the lead in the seventh inning, posting three runs to give them a 6-5 narrow lead. McNeese tallied a run in the bottom of the seventh as Larranaga came home on a double by senior Marcus Heusohn.

Head coach Justin Hill announced left-handed pitcher Jake Blackwell will make the start on Sunday making it a battle between two lefties as Jace Miner will start for the Shockers. It marks the first time in Hill's tenure to start three left-handed pitchers during opening weekend.

McNeese and Wichita State close out the series Sunday at 12 p.m. at Joe Miller Ballpark, streaming on ESPN+.
 
Pitching Appearances
Cooper Golden: 5.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 ER
Parker Morgan: 1.0 IP, 2 K's, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER
Eric Nachtsheim: 0.2 IP, 1 K, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 ER
Brady Corcoran: 0.1 IP, 0 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Caleb Strmiska: 2.0 IP, 1 K, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, Win
 
McNeese Notes
• Marks the programs first series victory over the Shockers.
• McNeese's best start since the 2020 season when they started 4-0.
• The first four pitchers made their first appearances as Cowboys.
• Davis Meche, Matt Stancliff, and Simon Larranaga recorded a team-high two runs in the outing.
• Multiple Hit Games: Marcus Heusohn, Easton Dowell, Davis Meche, Simon Larranaga