Lake Charles, La. – Sophomore Taylor Darden went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and fueled a four-run fifth inning with his first home run of the season to lead the University of the Incarnate Word, but a six-run third inning burst by McNeese held for a 10-6 Cowboys' win on Friday night, at Joe Miller Ballpark.
Ridge Rogers and Lee Thomas both went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the red and black.
The Cardinals struck first in their first at-bats as Wilson Ehrhardt walked to start the game, Thomas singled and Grant Smith walked to load the bases. Darden hit an RBI single to right field to score Ehrhardt and Rogers walked in a run for the early 2-0 lead.
McNeese (15-14, 8-8 SLC) tied the game in the bottom of the second inning and a crooked, six-run third inning had the Cowboys up 8-2. UIW (12-12, 8-9 SLC) responded in the top of the fifth inning after Jordan McFarland singled and Thomas walked. Darden rocketed his three-run home run over the left-field fence and Grant Smith's two-out RBI single to score Rogers who hit the Cardinals' 12th triple of the season got them within striking distance, 8-6, with a four-run inning.
It was the closest the Cardinals came as the Cowboys added the final two runs in the seventh inning for the 10-6 win.
ON DECK
The Cardinals and Cowboys continue the four-game set with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, April 10, at Joe Miller Ballpark.
FAN INVOLVEMENT
Join Cardinals Club today! Email UIW Baseball Director of Operations, Maddy Jordan (majorda1@uiwtx.edu) for more information.
FOLLOW ALONG
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