LAKE CHARLES- McNeese (9-7) dropped the series finale, falling 6-4 to Cal State Northridge (9-6) on Sunday afternoon at Joe Miller Ballpark.

The Cowboy offense pounded out 13 hits compared to CSUN's nine but just couldn't piece together hits when it mattered most leaving 11 runners on base. CSUN left 12 stranded. 

CSUN scored first in the second inning on a home run, the Cowboys were able to respond in the bottom half of the inning, manufacturing a run via the bat of Kade Hunter who hit a double. 

McNeese rallied in the eighth inning with three runs to cut the deficit to two, the inning was highlighted by Peyton Johnson and Kade Hunter doubles and a Reid Bourque single. The three went a combined 6-13 at the plate today. 

Matador starting pitcher Jaxon Wiggins (3-1) earned the win, allowing three runs in 7.0 innings pitched. He allowed ten hits and issued four walks, striking out four batters. McNeese starter Ty Abraham (1-2) suffered the loss. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits in 5-plus innings, walking three and striking out three. 

Christian Vega, Tyler Stone, Sean-Michael Brady, and Brian Shadrick put forth a valiant effort out of the bullpen as they allowed just one run over the final four innings.

Key Moments:

• T2: Gabe Gonzalez homered over the left-field fence for the first run of the game. (1-0 CSUN)
• B2: Payton Harden singled up the middle and scored on Kade Hunter's double (1-1 McN)
• T3: Peyton Johnson's double play ended the inning. He caught Graysen Tarlow's pop-up in foul territory, then threw out Ali Camarillo trying to tag up to third.
• T4: The Matadors scored on an RBI ground-out being aided by a two-base error. (2-1 CSUN)
• T5: With two runners on, Ty Abraham induced a fly-out to Payton Harden to end the inning. 
• T6: The first three reached base for CSUN and each came around to score on RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. (5-1 CSUN)
• T7: Tyler Stone entered the game with a runner on third and two outs and struck out Gabe Gonzalez.
• B8: Peyton Johnson doubled to right field to score Cooper Hext. Hext pinch ran for Jordan Yeatts who led off the inning with a single. (6-2 CSUN)
• B8: Kade Hunter doubled to move Johnson to third. Johnson would score on a passed ball. Hunter would be driven in by Reid Bourque's RBI single. (6-4 CSUN).

Notes:

• Kade Hunter's second-inning double was the first extra-base hit and run batted in of his McNeese career. 
• Nine Cowboys recorded hits. Peyton Johnson, Payton Harden, Kade Hunter, and Reid Bourque each had multiple hits. 
• Cooper Hext, Harden, Hunter, and Johnson scored the four runs. 
• Harden has reached base in 12 straight games, Johnson, 11. 

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Next Game:
Cowboys host Columbia University of the IVY League Tuesday night at 6 PM.