LAKE CHARLES, La. — Heading into Game 3 with the series tied, the McNeese Cowboys rallied for six runs in the bottom of the third to pull off the 9-4 win over Lamar University Cardinals on Sunday evening at Joe Miller Ballpark.
The Cards didn't waste any time in the top of the first as
Damian Ruiz hit a leadoff double to left.
Brayden Evans followed up with an RBI double to right.
Zak Skinner later brought in Evans with a groundout to second.
McNeese flipped the script in the bottom of the third as it took a 3-2 lead on a bases-clearing three-RBI triple to left center.
The Cowboys later extended their lead with a sacrifice fly to center and a two-RBI double to left.
In the bottom of the fourth, McNeese added another run on an RBI infield single to make the score, 7-2.
LU loaded up the bases in the top of the seventh as
Matt Ryan walked, Ruiz singled to center, and Evans was hit by pitch.
Skinner then ended a six-pitch at bat with a walk to bring in Ryan, cutting the deficit to four runs.
The Cowboys added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth with a two-RBI double to left center.
Ruiz led off the top of the ninth with a triple down the left field line.
Reese Beheler later hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring in Ruiz.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Ruiz extended his on base streak to 21 games by going 3 for 5 with a single, double and a triple, a home run shy of the cycle.
- Moreno had a single and a double to go 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to six games.
- Evans extended his hitting streak to nine games after going 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI.
- Bryce Grizzaffi went 1 for 4 with a single while Zane Spinn finished 1 for 5 with a single.
- LU was held to seven hits.
- The pitching staff had five strikeouts. Hayden Stallings struck out three in three innings of work.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals travel to New Orleans, La. for a midweek contest against Tulane on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
