HOUSTON, Texas – McNeese suffered just its second loss of the season 6-2 to HCU baseball Friday night at Husky Field in its first road game, ending an eight-game win streak. The Cowboys fall to 10-2 (3-1 SLC) as the Huskies rise to 8-3 (4-0 SLC).
 
Houston Christian scored the initial run on a home run in the second to lead 1-0. In the top of the fifth, junior Larry Edwards Jr. evened the score after reaching base on a walk, stealing second, and crossing third and home on a throwing error.
 
The Huskies took a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs on three hits, one error, and a passed ball.
 
McNeese scored a run in the top of the seventh as senior Grant Mangrum crossed home plate on an RBI single up the middle by Simon Larranaga (senior).
 
The pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts in the performance, the eighth time the Cowboys have earned 10 or more strikeouts this season. Each reliever recorded at least one strikeout with three not permitting a run to be scored with all four relievers not allowing an earned run.
 
Houston Christian extended its best start in conference play since joining the Southland in 2013.
 
McNeese and HCU return to Husky Field Saturday at 2 p.m. for game two of the series with live stats to follow along.
 
Pitching Appearances
Alexis Gravel: 4.1 IP, 7 K's, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 ER, Loss
Jake Blackwell: 0.2 IP, 1 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Parker Primeaux: 1.0 IP, 2 K's, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 ER
Brady Corcoran: 1.0 IP, 2 K's, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Eric Nachtsheim: 1.0 IP, 2 K's, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
 
McNeese Notes
• Gravel has earned at least seven strikeouts in three of his four starts this season.
• Davis Meche extended his hitting streak to four games.
• Mack Brousseau and Simon Larranaga moved to three-game hitting streaks.
• Eighth game this season McNeese has earned 10 or more strikeouts.
• Larry Edwards Jr. reached base for his seventh consecutive game on a walk.
• Davis Meche reached base for his fifth consecutive game on a walk.
• Reaching base for their third straight game were Simon Larranaga, Matt Stancliff, and Mack Brousseau.
• McNeese has scored at least one run in 40 consecutive games.
• Six Cowboys earned a hit in the outing including pinch hitter Gage Trahan in the ninth.
• McNeese last started 10-2 in 1995.