LAKE CHARLES – McNeese baseball dropped Sunday's series finale to UTRGV, 10-7, in extra innings—marking its second extra-inning loss of the weekend.
With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 23-21 overall (11-13 Southland Conference), while the Vaqueros improve to 20-24 overall (14-13 SLC). McNeese returns to action Wednesday at Houston, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
UTRGV struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning without recording a hit, as both runs came on bases-loaded walks.
McNeese answered in the bottom half with three runs to take the lead. Hayden Stringfellow delivered an RBI single to score Easton Dowell, and Isaiah Keller followed with a two-run home run to give the Cowboys a 3-2 advantage.
The Vaqueros responded in the second inning, tying the game on another bases-loaded walk before Julius Ramirez added an RBI single to put UTRGV back in front. Easton Moomau later drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 5-3.
McNeese chipped away in the fourth inning when Korey Cooper delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4.
UTRGV added two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Moomau, pushing the lead to 7-4.
The Cowboys answered in the bottom of the inning as Easton Dowell doubled down the left field line, scoring Marcus Heusohn and Connor Walker to bring McNeese within one at 7-6.
Trailing late, Keller delivered again in the ninth inning, launching his second home run of the game to tie the score at 7-7 and force extra innings.
UTRGV pulled away in the 10th as Armani Raygoza hit a three-run home run to give the Vaqueros a 10-7 lead.
Eric Nachtsheim took the loss for McNeese, falling to 5-3 after allowing three runs on two hits over 2.2 innings while striking out four. With the performance, Nachtsheim increased his season total to 96 strikeouts, moving into seventh place in program history.
UTRGV reliever Kike Cienfuegos earned the win, improving to 6-2 after tossing seven innings while allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out six.
Up Next
Apr. 29 – at Houston
May 1 – at SFA
May 2 – at SFA
May 3 – at SFA
May 7 – vs Northwestern State
May 8 – vs Northwestern State
May 9 – vs Northwestern State
Denotes Conference Game
Indicates Home Game
