McNeese snags crucial win behind Deaton’s mound effort

LAKE CHARLES – After surrendering a first inning run, the McNeese Cowboys five run fourth inning lifted them to a 5-2 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Joe Miller Ballpark Friday night for their fifth-straight victory and sixth-straight conference win.

Rhett Deaton (7-3) got the start for the Cowboys on Friday night and pitched another gem. Deaton finished the night with 8.0 innings pitched, gave up only two runs on six hits, walked one, struck out four and got his seventh win on the season.

The Islanders (29-22, 13-14 SLC) took an early lead, scoring one run in the first after a walk and a double to left field to take the 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Cowboys (28-22, 13-12 SLC) responded with a five-run inning. Scoring runs on an errored throw on a double steal, RBI double by senior Dustin Duhon, a two-RBI double by Nate Fisbeck, and a sacrifice fly out by Clayton Rasbeary to take a 5-1 lead they would not surrender.

The Islanders scored one more run off a home run in the eighth to bring the score to its final 5-2.

After Deaton’s eight innings, Will Dion closed the game for the Cowboys by pitching the ninth inning. Dion faced three batters, didn’t allow a hit, and struck out one to earn his fifth save on the season.

With that performance from Dion, the Cowboys bullpen extended their streak to 14 straight innings without allowing a run, 21 straight innings without an earned run.

McNeese will be back on the field Saturday night in game two of their three-game series against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders. The 2019 Graduates will be recognized before the game and first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Joe Miller Ballpark.

KEY INNINGS

1st | In the top of the inning, the Islanders plated the game’s first run with an RBI double to left field to take a 1-0 lead.

4th | In the bottom of the inning, the Cowboys scored their first runs of the game. Jake Dickerson lead off with a single up the middle, followed by Julian Gonzlaes reaching by being hit-by-pitch, and both runners advanced two bases on a double steal and an errored throw to plate the Cowboys first run. Dustin Duhon then plated Gonzales on an RBI double to right field. Reid Bourque was hit-by-pitch and Payton Harden hit an infield single to load the bases for Nate Fisbeck. Fisbeck then delivered a two RBI double down the left field line. Clayton Rasbeary finished the Cowboys scoring with a sacrifice fly to deep right center to give the Cowboys a 5-1 lead.

8th | Islanders hit a home run to right field to bring the score to its final 5-2.

MCNEESE NOTES

Offense:

The Cowboys were led offensively by Nate Fisbeck, he finished 2-for-5 from the plate with two doubles, and two RBI’s.

Julian Gonzales also had a good night, going 3-for-3 from the plate, all singles and scoring a run.

The Cowboys totaled 14 hits as an offense, with everyone in the lineup each getting at least one and five players with multiple hits.

Pitching:

Senior right-handed pitcher Rhett Deaton got the start for the Cowboys in Friday’s game. Deaton finished with 8.0 IP, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out four, and got the win.

Will Dion relieved Deaton to start the ninth inning. Dion closed the game for the Cowboys, alowwing zero hits, no runs, no walks, one strikeout, and earned the save.

ON DECK
The Cowboys will be at home for game two of the series against Corpus Christi on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Game three on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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