Lake Charles, LA- In the first game of a three game weekend series, the McNeese State University Cowboys defeated the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 2-1, in nine innings of baseball action.

McNeese State was able get on the scoreboard first when Lucas Quary scored on a Jackson Gooch double. The Cowboys wouldn't score again until the eighth inning, when Skylar Barrington would come home on fielder's choice by Chayse Marion, to give the Cowboys a 2-0 lead.

The Golden Lions scattered five hits, with one error over the course of the ball game. UAPB's lone run came in the top of the ninth inning when Dylan Calhoun crossed home plate on a Rafael Soto single to right field. But the Golden Lions late game heroics would fall short as the tying and go-ahead runs would be left stranded on first and third base as the Cowboys would record the second and third outs to narrowly escape the Golden Lions comeback.

UAPB' s Kyle Schwartz was credited with the loss, putting in  7 1/3 innings worth of work, facing 29 batters and only giving up seven hits while striking out five. Dewayne Hysmith led the way at plate going two-for-four on the day. 

Game two of this weekend series will Saturday, February 23. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM.