LAKE CHARLES – McNeese baseball completed a dramatic comeback Sunday afternoon, walking off Abilene Christian 11-10 on a two-run single from Simon Larranaga in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With the win, the Cowboys move to 14-14 overall (6-6 Southland Conference), while Abilene Christian falls to 15-13 overall. McNeese returns to action Tuesday against UL-Lafayette, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+ as the Cowboys close out a 10-game home stand.
Abilene Christian struck first in the opening inning, scoring two runs as Gavin Brzozowski drew a bases-loaded walk and JT Thompson was hit by a pitch to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
McNeese answered in the bottom half of the inning when Danny Barbero drove in Bryce Fontenot to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Wildcats added another run in the second inning on a solo home run by Diego Cardenas, extending the lead to 3-1.
McNeese chipped away in the fourth inning when Marcus Heusohn lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Matt Stancliff to make it 3-2.
Abilene Christian responded in the fifth inning, plating two runs on RBI singles from Brady Ladusau and Nick Arias to push the lead to 5-2.
Arias struck again in the seventh inning with a two-run home run to left-center field, extending the Wildcats' advantage to 7-2.
Trailing late, McNeese erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to tie the game. Connor Walker doubled to score Gage Trahan, followed by an RBI single from Stancliff. Barbero added an RBI double, and Hayden Stringfellow delivered an RBI single before Larranaga capped the inning with an RBI single to even the score at 7-7.
Abilene Christian regained the lead in the ninth inning, scoring three runs on a Ladusau home run, an RBI double from Arias, and a run-scoring error to go back in front 10-7.
The Cowboys answered once again in the bottom half of the inning. Stancliff drove in a run to cut the deficit to 10-8, and Viggo Lopez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring McNeese within one.
With the game on the line, Larranaga delivered, ripping a two-run single to the outfield to complete the comeback and secure the walk-off victory.
Abilene Christian reliever Caden Greanead took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
McNeese reliever Jake Blackwell remained perfect on the season, earning the win after tossing two-thirds of an inning without allowing a hit or run.
Up Next
Mar. 31 – vs UL Lafayette
Apr. 2 – at UNO
Apr. 3 – at UNO
Apr. 4 – at UNO
Apr. 7 – at Grambling
Denotes Conference Game
Indicates Home Game
