BEAUMONT, Texas – Both Lamar University and McNeese recorded 10 hits Friday night but unfortunately the Cowboys did a little bit more with their hits defeating LU, 4-2. The loss was Lamar's (23-5) first Southland setback of the season (3-1).
 
The Cardinals scored two runs on 10 hits with solo runs in the third and eighth innings, while McNeese scored four on 10 hits with one in the second, two more in the fifth and one in the sixth.
 
Two Cardinals ended the night with multi-hit games led by Tanner Wilson's 3-for-4 effort. One of his three hits was a solo blast to left in the eighth inning. Senior Kanin Dodge went 2-for-4 with a walk.
 
Brooks Caple (4-3) got the start for Big Red and went 5.0 innings allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts but was hurt by three walks. He was one of just two Cardinals to take the mound Friday as Peyton Havard pitched the final 4.0 giving up just one earned run on three hits with five strikeouts (to just one walk).
 
McNeese's Cameron LeJeune (4-2) got the win going 7.0 innings along with just one run on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. He gave way to Kainin Morrow in the 8^th inning. JT Moeller (1) picked up the save pitching the final two-thirds of the ninth.
 
McNeese got on the scoreboard with a solo run in the second, only to have the Cardinals answer back in the third inning. With two outs in the inning, and Drake Varnado on first, Brayden Evans singled to right center putting runners on first and third. River Orsak took full advantage driving one through the right side to tie the game at one.
 
The game remained tied until the fifth inning when McNeese pushed two across. It became a three-run lead after the Cowboys tacked on a solo run in their half of the sixth.
 
The Cardinals got back on the scoreboard in the eighth and again it was with two outs. Wilson cracked his second home run of the season when he drove a 1-0 pitch over the secondary wall in left field.
 
After the run Havard went back to the mound and recorded a shutdown inning sitting the Cowboys down in order, including a strike out Elliot Hebert, for the final out of the inning.
 
It appeared the rally was on in the ninth as Jack Schell came into pinch hit and singled to right center. Austin Roccaforte was next up and worked a 3-2 count before getting plunked on the elbow to be awarded first base – setting up a first and second situation with no outs.
 
Unfortunately, the play was reviewed and it was ruled that Roccaforte stuck his arm out to get hit and he was ruled out. The play seemingly knocked the wind out of Lamar's sails ending the rally.
 
The Red and White will look to get back in the win column Saturday when they return to Vincent-Beck Stadium for game two. The second game is slated for a 5 p.m. start and will be streamed on ESPN+.