Box Score LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word lost the first game of a three-game baseball series at Southland Conference rival McNeese State on Friday evening, 6-2 at Cowboy Diamond.

The Cowboys (21-19, 11-8) jumped out to an early lead against UIW's Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS).  Andrew Guillotte led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, stole second and scored on Marion's single.  In the second inning, Connor Lloyd copied led off with a single, stole second and scored on Guillotte's single.

The score remained 2-0 for the Cowboys until the seventh inning.  The Cardinals (13-25, 5-8) got on the board after Blue Hybner (Shiner/St. Paul HS) led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Ethan McGill (Penn Valley, CA/Nevada Union HS).  McNeese added an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cardinals quickly recovered.

In the eighth inning, it appeared the Cardinals would not only have a chance to tie the game, but maybe take the lead.  They loaded the bases with no outs and their third and fourth hitters coming up next.  Unfortunately, a double play and a strikeout ended the rally with only one run to cut the lead to 3-2.

The Cowboys put the game away in the bottom of the eighth inning.  The scored three times thanks to a pair of singles and three walks.

Encina had another quality start for the Cardinals giving up just two earned runs in 6.1 innings, but was handed the loss.  He gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out three.  His counterpart, Kaleb Fontenot went 7.0 innings allowing six hits and two runs while striking out two in the win.  Steven O'Bryant was credited with the save after recording the final six outs of the game.

Bryce Shepherd (Coldspring/Coldspring-Oakhurst HS) led the UIW offense at the plate going 2-for-2 with a run scored and a double.  Guillotte led the McNeese offense going 2-for-3 with three runs, an RBI and two walks.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 3 p.m.
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