Cowboys claim series opener over Islanders

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Riding the momentum off a go-ahead run by Conner Westenburg on a wild pitch, McNeese Baseball (22-22, 6-10 SLC) defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (21-28, 9-10 SLC) 7-3 with back-to-back two-run innings in the series opener at Chapman Field Friday night.

McNeese plated the first run as leadoff hitter Simon Larranaga, a junior, hit a home run over the center field wall to kick things off. The Islanders responded with a home run of their own in the bottom of the frame, taking the lead in the second on another home run.

The Cowboys tied up the game at two a piece in the fourth on junior Westenburg’s sixth home run of the season. Both teams plated a run in the sixth inning to keep the score tied at three all. Senior Elliot Hebert crossed home in the top half on an RBI ground out produced by redshirt senior Chase Keeton.

Two consecutive innings produced two runs each for the Pokes in the top of the eighth and ninth to ultimately seal the victory. Westenburg earned his second run of the game by scoring on a wild pitch to put the Cowboys up 4-3 in the eighth. A Hollins’ home run and Hebert two RBI double pulled McNeese away from the Islanders.

Redshirt senior Ty Abraham collected his third victory of the season while redshirt junior Cameron LeJeune earned his fifth save.

Both teams return to action at Chapman Field Saturday at 2 p.m. for the second game of the series streamed on ESPN+

Pitching Appearances
Zach Voss: 5.0 IP, 2 K’s, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 ER
Ty Abraham: 2.0 IP, 2 K’s, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, Win
Cameron LeJeune: 2.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, Save

McNeese Notes
• 36th game with 6+ hits for the Pokes.
• Ty Abraham made his third appearance in five games.
• McNeese scored its first two runs of the game on home runs.
• Elliot Hebert extended his team-leading hitting streak to 10 games.
• Grant Mangrum moved his hitting streak to seven games while Conner Westenburg brings his to six.
• Ty Abraham moved to 3-2 on the season.
• Multi-Hit Games: Conner Westenburg (15th), Braden Duhon (13th), Elliot Hebert (8th), Simon Larranaga (7th), Braley Hollins (4th)