HOUSTON, Texas – McNeese baseball tied its best start in program history with a 4-3 victory over Houston Wednesday night to improve to 24-5 (11-4 SLC) at Shroeder Park while the Cougars fell to 19-14 (5-7 Big 12). The Pokes last started 24-5 during the 1991 campaign, which set the record for the best start and has remained unmatched for over 30 seasons.
 
The Cowboys extended its winning streak to nine games, the best under the leadership of skipper Justin Hill and longest streak since the 2010 season. It's tied for the third-longest streak in the nation with third-ranked LSU and Cal Poly.
 
Conner Westenburg, a senior, solidified the victory by crossing home plate in the top of the tenth inning, his lone run of the day after reaching on a walk.
 
Junior Jake Blackwell recorded his third win in four straight appearances as Eric Nachtsheim, a fellow junior, was credited with his first save with the Cowboys.
 
Houston earned the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the fifth as the Cougars recorded an RBI double for a 1-0 advantage.
 
Down by a run entering the sixth, the Pokes changed the momentum of the game as junior Larry Edwards Jr. hit a double out to left center, driving in all three runners on base for a two-run 3-1 lead. The left fielder brought home senior Grant Mangrum, junior Matt Stancliff, and sophomore Mack Brousseau.
 
The Cougars struck back with a run of their own in the seventh to bring the game back within one run. 
 
Houston nearly tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with runners on the corners before a double-play throw from senior Cole Plowman to Mangrum connected for the second out of the inning. Graduate student Parker Primeaux earned the final out to close out the frame on a groundout.
 
The tying run for the Cougars came in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly to right field with one out recorded, forcing extra innings.
 
McNeese continues its road trip to San Antonio to challenge UIW on the road for a weekend series at Sullivan Field starting Friday at 2:05 p.m.
 
Pitching Appearances
Parker Morgan: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Caleb Strmiska: 1.0 IP, 0 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Marcus Mott: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 ER
Diego Corrales: 1.0 IP, 0 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Braedyn Cunningham: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER
Blayne Fritcher: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 ER
Parker Primeaux: 1.0 IP, 0 K's, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 ER
Jake Blackwell: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, Win
Eric Nachtsheim: 1.0 IP, 1 K, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, Save
 
McNeese Notes
• McNeese extends its win streak to nine games, the longest under Coach Hill.
• The nine-game win streak moves to being tied for the third longest in the nation.
• Longest win streak for the Pokes since 2010 when the squad won 10 straight.
• Marks the 10^th time defeating the Cougars in the all-time series.
• First time defeating Houston since the 2019 campaign.
• First time defeating a Big 12 team since 2016 when the Cowboys took down Baylor 12-7 on the road.
• The extra-inning duel was the third for the Cowboys this season.
• Jake Blackwell recorded his third victory in four appearances.
• Eric Nachtsheim earned his first save of the season.
• Parker Morgan made his second straight start on the mound.
• Parker Primeaux and Jake Blackwell have each pitched in five consecutive games.
• Easton Dowell extended his hitting streak to nine games, a current team high.
• Mack Brousseau has reached base in 20 consecutive games.
• McNeese has scored in 28 of 29 games this season and plated 2+ runs in 27 games.
• Multi-Hit Games: Grant Mangrum (2-for-3)
• Five McNeese hitters collected a hit in the outing