LAKE CHARLES — The McNeese Cowboys opened up its Southland Conference series Friday night with a 11-1 victory over the visiting University of New Orleans Privateers.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Grant Rogers started the game with a strikeout but found himself in some trouble after walking the next batter and then two baters later gave up a single to Mitchell Sanford.
With the Privateers having runners on the corners, Rogers got out of the opening-inning jam by striking out Anthony Herron Jr.
McNeese got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first.
After Josh Leslie reached base with a one-out single, two batters later Tre’ Obregon III lifted a pitch from UNO’s Beau Blanchard over the right field wall for a two-run home run.
Rogers got into trouble again in the second and this time the Privateers made him pay. With two outs, Rogers walked Jorge Tejeda and then Issac Williams reached first base on a throwing error by Leslie.
Kasten Furr then singled to left field which scored one run. Rogers responded by striking out the next batter to get out of the inning.
McNeese scratched run back in the bottom of the frame as Taylor Darden homered to left field. The Cowboys added to that lead in the third.
Obregon led off with a single to right field, Brad Burckel then drew a walk and Chase Keeton loaded the bases with a single to left field.
Duhon drew a walk which scored a run and then two more Cowboys came home on a single by Payton Harden.
In the fourth, McNeese kept plating runs and did so with two outs.
Burckel drew a walk, Keeton was then hit by a pitch and Duhon was walked to load the bases. Darden then laced a single up the middle which scored two runs. Schuyler Thibodaux doubled down the left field line to bring home two more Cowboys.
After Harden drew a walk, Leslie hit a double past UNO’s third baseman to plate another run.
BIG NUMBER: 9
McNeese scored nine of its 11 runs in Friday night’s victory with two outs, including five of those coming in the bottom of the fourth.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: GRANT ROGERS & TAYLOR DARDEN
Rogers pitched his third complete game of the season as he scattered seven hits in seven innings, gave up one run (unearned) and struck out six hitters. Darden meanwhile went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBI and a solo home run.
UP NEXT: McNeese (25-12, 7-6 SLC) will take on UNO (21-17, 6-7 SLC) on Saturday at Joe Miller Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.