LAKE CHARLES – McNeese's offense awoke in the bottom of the eight with six runs to claim an 8-5 victory over New Orleans baseball Friday night at Joe Miller Ballpark. The Cowboys improve to 21-5 (9-4 SLC) as the Privateers shift to 15-13 (7-9 SLC) following the series opener.
 
Down by three runs heading into the bottom eighth, McNeese began gathering momentum with the first two batters reaching on an error and a single. Sophomore Mack Brousseau brought the game back within a run on a two-RBI double to send home senior Conner Westenburg and junior Matt Stancliff. Two walks ensued following a pitching change, forcing another alteration on the mound.
 
In the first at-bat for the new Privateer, graduate student Davis Meche turned the tide in favor of the Pokes with another two-RBI double to drive in freshman Bryce Fontenot and redshirt junior Braley Hollins, both of whom were pinch runners. Junior Larry Edwards Jr. scored on the same play on an error. The sixth and final run of the frame came as Meche crossed home on a single by redshirt sophomore Easton Dowell.
 
Head coach Justin Hill recorded his 354^th victory at the helm to make him the seventh in career victories by a Southland  coach in conference history. He is off to his best start leading the Cowboys as the program its best season since 1991 when the team went 24-5 to open up.
 
The final five pitchers out of the bullpen combined for a 4.1 inning shutout, only allowing three hits while striking out five. Jake Blackwell, a junior, earned his first win donning the blue and gold while freshman Brady Corcoran was credited with his second save.
 
New Orleans scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning before tacking on one in the second frame for an early 3-0 lead.
 
McNeese plated its first run of the game in the bottom of the second as senior Marcus Heusohn came home on a double by Cole Plowman, a fellow senior, down the left line off the glove of the third baseman.
 
The Privateers earned a solo home run in the third inning to make it 4-1 at The Jeaux.  The Pokes struck again in the bottom half with senior Conner Westenburg sliding across home plate on a wild pitch to cut into the 4-2 lead.
 
Both teams were quiet in the fourth before New Orleans scored in the fifth on a double with a runner on second.
 
McNeese and New Orleans return to action at Joe Miller Ballpark at 11 a.m.  in the second game of the series with first pitch being moved up three hours to accommodate weather.
 
Pitching Appearances
Cooper Golden: 3.1 IP, 2 K's, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 ER
Blayne Fritcher: 1.1 IP, 2 K's, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER
Parker Morgan: 0.1 IP, 0 K's, 0 H,1 BB, 0 ER
Parker Primeaux: 1.0 IP, 0 K's, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Braedyn Cunningham: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Jake Blackwell: 1.0 IP, 2 K's, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, Win
Brady Corcoran: 1.0 IP, 0 K's, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, Save
 
McNeese Notes
• Jake Blackwell recorded his first win with the Cowboys.
• Brady Corcoran earned his second save of the 2025 campaign.
• Mack Brousseau has reached base in 17 straight games, the longest stretch this season.
• Conner Westenburg is right behind him with a streak of 16 games reaching base.
• Coach Hill is the seventh-winningest coach in SLC history with 354 victories.
• McNeese is off to its best start since 1991 when the program began the season 24-5.
• Davis Meche and Easton Dowell are tied for the longest active hitting streak at six games.
• McNeese has scored in 25 of 26 games this season.
• The Cowboys have scored wo or more runs in 24 games this season.