LAKE CHARLES – McNeese baseball dropped the series opener to Abilene Christian, falling 6-4 Friday night in the first meeting between the two programs since the 2019 season.
With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 13-13 overall (6-6 Southland Conference), while Abilene Christian improves to 14-12 overall.
Abilene Christian struck first in the third inning when Diego Cardenas reached on a fielding error that allowed a run to score. Later in the inning, Cardenas got caught in a rundown, allowing a runner to steal home and give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
McNeese responded in the bottom half of the inning when Connor Schneider launched his first Division I home run over the left field wall to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Wildcats answered in the fourth inning as Grant Watkins hit his 14th home run of the season to extend the lead to 3-1.
Freshman catcher Connor Walker tied the game in the fifth inning, blasting his second home run of the season over the left field wall to make it 3-3.
Abilene Christian regained control in the seventh inning with a two-run home run to take a 5-3 lead.
McNeese answered in the bottom half of the inning when Walker delivered again, hitting his second home run of the game to pull the Cowboys within one at 5-4. It marked the first time since April 25, 2025, that a McNeese player recorded a multi-home run game.
The Wildcats added an insurance run in the ninth inning when Zandt Payne hit a solo home run—his second of the game and eighth of the season—to extend the lead to 6-4.
Abilene Christian reliever Evan Whiteaker earned the win, improving to 2-3 after tossing four innings and allowing one run on two hits while striking out three and walking two.
McNeese reliever Connor Achee took the loss, falling to 1-3 after allowing three runs on four hits over four innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.
Cowboys starter Cooper Golden turned in a strong outing, recording a career-high eight strikeouts over five innings.
Up Next
Mar. 28 – vs Abilene Christian
Mar. 29 – vs Abilene Christian
Mar. 31 – vs UL Lafayette
Denotes Conference Game
Indicates Home Game
