McNeese downs Northwestern State to open series

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Riding a strong 7-1 start at Joe Miller Ballpark, Cameron LeJeune and Kainin Morrow paired up to help McNeese stave off Northwestern State 8-2 in the Cowboys’ baseball conference opener. The Pokes rise to 13-10, 1-0 SLC on a four-game winning streak while the Demons drop to 7-19, 1-3 SLC.

“I thought we got out to a great start,” praised head coach Justin Hill. “It was a point of emphasis to remain focused and we didn’t lose that as we scored the next inning.”

McNeese opened the matchup with a three-run first inning followed by two-run innings in the bottom of both the second and third. The Demons scored their first run in the second inning, tacking another on the scoreboard in the fifth.

As the Cowboys neared the end of the ballgame, they tallied another run in the bottom of the seventh to extend an 8-2 lead at The Jeaux.

“I think early in the game it’s about getting ahead in the counts and making pitches once you are ahead and I think Morrow built off of that,” said redshirt junior Cameron LeJeune.

LeJeune elevated his record to 3-2 while Morrow, a senior, collected his second save of the season.

Senior Braden Duhon and junior Grant Mangrum each hit 2-for-4 on the night with the latter scoring a fourth of the team’s runs and earning two RBIs on a home run.

McNeese and Northwestern State return to the ballpark Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. for the second game of the series.

Pitching Appearances
Cameron LeJeune: 6.1 IP, 5 K’s, 8 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, Win
Kainin Morrow: 2.2 IP, 3 K’s, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, Save

McNeese Notes
– Braden Duhon earned his ninth multi-hit game of the season, leading the Pokes.
– Grant Mangrum collected his fourth multi-hit game of 2024.
– Keeton, Westenburg, and Mangrum each scored two runs.
– Marks the fourth time this season the Cowboys have only used two pitchers in a game.