LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning Friday, pulling away late for a 5-2 win over Southeastern Louisiana in Southland Conference action at Joe Miller Ballpark.
 
The Cowboys (10-16, 7-4 Southland) picked up their first hits of the game in the fourth, producing a run to take a 1-0 lead, but Southeastern (20-10, 8-3 Southland) took advantage of a throwing error in the fifth to jump out in front, 2-1.
 
Trey Harrington and Cody Grosse hit back-to-back singles in the fifth. With Harrington going first-to-third on Grosse's hit to right, Grosse took second on the attempt to get Harrington at third.
 
With a pair of runners in scoring position, Trenon Trosclair struck out on a pitch in the dirt. The ball kicked up the line toward third. McNeese catcher Dustin Duhon looked Harrington back to the bag before picking up the ball and had to rush his throw to first. Duhon sailed the ball down the right-field line, allowing both Harrington and Grosse to score.
 
After back-to-back singles and a fielder's choice put runners on the corners for the Cowboys in the sixth, Duhon singled to right to tie the game.
 
McNeese took the lead in the seventh when, with a runner on first, pinch-hitter Carson Maxwell doubled to left-center field off reliever Evan Hileman.
 
The Cowboys tacked on a two-run home run in the eighth, the second homer in as many games for McNeese center fielder Jacob Stracner.
 
Bryan King (2-1) earned the win, allowing two unearned runs in seven innings of work. He scattered four hits and two walks, striking out five. Aiden Anderson worked the final two innings to earn his first save of the season.
 
Hileman (0-3) suffered the loss, allowing one run on two hits in 0.1 inning.
 
Drew Avans, who stole his 14th base of the season to tie for the team lead, passed Tommy Ferrand into sole possession of fifth place on the Lions' all-time leaderboard. With 55 career steals, Avans now sits three back of former teammate Jacob Seward.

Redshirt junior right-hander Carlisle Koestler (4-0, 1.16), the Southland's ERA leader, gets the starting nod at 3 p.m. Saturday in the series finale versus Cowboy senior righty Tyler Wesley (1-1, 4.07).
 
The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, and worldwide online or through either the Radio FX or TuneIn apps. Fans can also keep up with all the action through streaming video, live statistics or by following @SLUathletics on Twitter. Links to audio, video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
DIAMOND CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join Diamond Club. All membership fees and donations to the Diamond Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program.
 
For membership information, contact the Lion Athletics Association at (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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