LAKE CHARLES, La. – Though Lamar University (7-12, 1-5 SLC) jumped out on archrival McNeese State University (12-8, 2-1 SLC) early Sunday, a two-run error proved costly to the Cards. Big Red fell 6-4 to the Cowboys in the finale of the Battle Of the Border.
 
Lamar got started quickly with a run in the top of the first. Avery George was walked in the lead-off spot, preserving his 29-game reached base streak, then stole second before Cole Girouard was walked as well. Cole Coker reached on an error with a bunt, then JC Correa advanced all three runners with a single through the right side. Three straight strikeouts ended the threat and left the bases loaded. Taylor Rich sat all three Cowboys down to keep LU out front, 1-0, through the first.
 
The hit parade carried over to the second inning. Logan Berlof led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second when Chase Kemp was hit by a pitch. A bunt single from George extended his hit streak to 18 games, and a sac fly from Girouard scored Berlof. A no-out fielder's choice from Coker loaded the bases before Robin Adames singled Kemp and George home. A strikeout ended the inning, but Lamar led 4-0 through two thanks to a one-hit bottom of the second by Rich.
 
McNeese battled back in the third with two runs off two hits. The first batter was struck out, but the bases got busy with a one-out hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles. A sac fly scored the first run and a wild pitch brought a second Cowboy home. After three Lamar led McNeese 4-2.
 
Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth and fifth, though McNeese came within a pitch twice. The Cowboys threatened to score in the fourth and again in the fifth, but Dylan Johnson and AJ Ozorio-Brace stranded five runners combined in those two innings. Lamar preserved its 4-2 lead through five innings.
 
An error proved costly for the Cards in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first a high throw to first pulled Anthony Quirion off the bag, allowing the inning to continue. A walk of the next batter loaded the bases, and a single through the left side scored two. Grason Wright stranded two on and the game was tied 4-4 through six innings.
 
A scoreless seventh passed quickly with a runner stranded for Lamar and a 1-2-3 inning for Wright in the bottom half. Wright returned to the mound after a 1-2-3 inning for Lamar in the top of the eighth, and McNeese struck once again. A lead-off single reached second on a wild pitch and reached third on a flyout. A homer that banged off the left field foul poll scored two for McNeese and put the Cowboys ahead 6-4 through eight innings.
 
JC Correa doubled with one out in the top of the ninth but was stranded.
 
The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday with a non-conference home game against Southern University. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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