Vaqueros drop series opener in extras

McNeese opens SLC series with a win, Westenburg hits two homers for Pokes

The McNeese State University Cowboys used a 3-run 10th inning to take the opening game of a crucial Southland Conference series over the Vaqueros 9-6 tonight at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.

Graduate infielder Jacob Sanchez catches the ball as McNeese sophomore catcher Mack Brousseau runs to first base during tonight’s game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus. The Vaqueros were defeated by the Cowboys 9-6.
**Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER**

McNeese’s win (30-8, 17-5 SLC) opens a crucial series for both teams, with McNeese entering the series tied for first in the conference and UTRGV (26-15, 17-8 SLC) entering in third.

UTRGV Baseball head coach Derek Matlock said the team, while they fought back, needs to be ready to fight again Saturday, emphasizing the need to find “consistency.”

*Junior outfielder Rene Galvan slides to second base during tonight’s game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.*
**Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER**

“We gotta be ready to go again tomorrow,” Matlock said. “If you’re gonna beat the best team, you can’t make mistakes. … If we get to winning the series we’re right where we want to be.”

The Vaqueros, down two in the fifth, fought to force extra innings in the ninth, with senior catcher Steven Lancia (1-5, HR, 2RBI), graduate first baseman Jacob Sanchez (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB) and junior second baseman Thomas Williams (2-5, HR) all hitting home runs tonight.

McNeese redshirt junior infielder Braley Hollins catches the ball as redshirt senior infielder Isaac Lopez runs to first base during tonight’s game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.
**Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER**

For the Pokes, senior center fielder Conner Westenburg (3-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI) clubbed two home runs tonight, while the conference’s leader in batting average, sophomore shortstop Easton Dowell, delivered the go-ahead hit in the 10th.

Westenburg got the game started with a bang, leading off the game with a home run to left field to give the Cowboys a 1-0 lead.

Back-to-back doubles for the Vaqueros in the bottom of the second tied the game at 1-1, with senior right fielder Hank Warren driving in the tying run.

*Redshirt sophomore infielder Armani Raygoza hits the ball during tonight’s game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.*
**Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER**

Westenburg clubbed his second home run of the game in the top of the fifth, again over the left field fence, putting McNeese up 3-1.

McNeese plated a couple more runs in the top of the sixth off an RBI single by senior catcher Grant Mangrum, extending their lead 5-1.

Two Vaquero home runs, a leadoff blast by Sanchez and a two-run shot by Lancia brought it to a one-run game, cutting the Cowboys’ lead to 5-4.

*The crowd cheers after senior catcher Steven Lancia hit a home run during tonight’s game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus. Over 4,000 people attended the game.*
**Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER**

Two balks by UTRGV junior reliever Kiké Cienfuegos brought junior second baseman Matt Stancliff over to third, where senior first baseman Marcus Huesohn brought him home with a single to make it 6-4 McNeese.

Williams brought it back to a one-run game at 6-5 with a solo home run to left.

An RBI single by Sanchez in the bottom of the ninth plated sophomore pinch hitter Evan Janner to tie the game at 6-6 and send it to extra innings.

The Pokes plated three runs in the top of the 10th inning, one with an RBI single by Dowell and two more coming off a throwing error by UTRGV’s Williams, to take a 9-6 lead.

The series continues with a rubber match Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

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