BEAUMONT, Texas – McNeese fell 11–10 to Lamar in the rubber match of the Battle of the Border series Sunday afternoon. The Cowboys move to 9–10 overall and 4–5 in conference play, while Lamar improves to 12–8 overall and 6–3 in league play.
McNeese struck first with a two-run first inning. Hayden Stringfellow delivered a single that scored two runs following a fielding error by Lamar's Balin Valentine, giving the Cowboys an early 2–0 lead.
Lamar responded in the bottom of the second inning, plating four runs to take control. Lane Sparks started the rally with a single before Tab Tracey added an infield single that drove in two runs. Braden Benton later drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Cardinals a 4–2 advantage.
The Cowboys answered with five runs over the next two innings to regain the lead. Marcus Heusohn began the surge with a double before Matt Stancliff delivered a bases-clearing triple. Danny Barbero followed with an RBI double, and Heusohn later added an RBI single to cap the rally and put McNeese ahead 7–4.
Lamar trimmed the deficit in the fourth inning when Benton drove in a run on a ground out that scored Valentine, cutting the Cowboys' lead to 7–5.
McNeese added to its lead in the fifth inning as Barbero singled to center field to bring home two runs, extending the advantage to 9–5.
The Cardinals answered with six runs over the next two innings to take the lead for good. Lamar first scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch before AJ Taylor followed with a two-run single to center field. In the sixth inning, the Cardinals added three more runs, including an RBI ground out and a two-run single from Tracey, to move in front 11–9.
McNeese added one final run in the seventh inning when Stancliff singled to shortstop to score Larry Edwards Jr., cutting the deficit to 11–10. However, the Cowboys were unable to complete the comeback.
McNeese reliever Brady Corcoran was charged with the loss, falling to 0–1 on the season after allowing three runs on two hits in one inning of work while walking one.
Lamar reliever Blayne Fritcher earned the win to improve to 1–0 after pitching 1.1 innings, allowing one run while striking out two and walking two. Julius Carpio recorded his second save of the season, tossing two scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out one.
Up Next
Mar. 18 – vs Prairie View A&M
Mar. 20 – vs Southeastern *
Mar. 21 – vs Southeastern *
Mar. 22 – vs Southeastern *
Mar. 24 – vs Southern
Mar. 25 – vs Louisiana Christian
Mar. 27 – vs Abilene Christian *
Mar. 28 – vs Abilene Christian *
Mar. 29 – vs Abilene Christian *
Mar. 31 – vs UL Lafayette
Denotes Conference Game
Indicates Home Game
