BSB: Huskies split doubles series final at McNeese

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Huskies closed out the conference series against McNeese by splitting the doubleheader on Saturday by winning the series finale, 9-7, after losing 6-13 in the day’s opening game at Joe Miller Ballpark.

In the first game, the Huskies allowed all 13 runs over the first four innings en route to a 6-13 loss. After allowing four runs in the bottom of the first inning, HCU got on the board in the top of the third inning when Trevor Roper hit a leadoff single to right field. After advancing to third base on a Samuel Benjamin single to right field, Roper scored on an RBI single to the pitcher by Katcher Halligan To bring the Huskies within three runs at 1-4, McNeese scored four more runs in the bottom of the third inning and five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 12 points, 1-13. Responding quickly, HCU led early in the fifth inning with a single to right field from Benjamin. With a single in the middle William Jewell, Benjamin advanced to the scoring position. The Huskies loaded the bases on a Halligan single. Until his last strike with a throw of 1-2, Ty Hodge hit a base loaded two RBI, doubled down the right field line, scoring Benjamin and Jewell. After Halligan and Hodge scored on a double to right center by Luc Barde, the Huskies piled up four runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead to 5-13. With HCU’s third single in the top of the ninth inning by Tyler LaRueLaRue scored on a Bard double after advancing to second when Jewell drew a walk to give the Huskies their final run of the game and extend their series deficit to 0-2.

In game two, the Huskies struck first for the first time in the series, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning. HCU got on the board starting with a leadoff walk by LaRue before scoring on a double down the right field line by Jewell. Jewell scored on Halligan’s double down the left field line to give the Huskies an early 2-0 lead. The Cowboys tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning before HCU took its largest lead of the series with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. After Roper’s one-out single, Benjamin hit a single to right field to advance Roper to second. A LaRue single to right field loaded the bases for Jewell for the second time of the day. Getting back into the clutch again, Jewell hit a line drive single to right center field, scoring Roper and Benjamin while advancing LaRue to third base. The Huskies took a three-point lead, 7-4, on a Halligan sacrifice scoring LaRue. McNeese cut the lead to two runs, recording a run in the bottom of the inning. The Huskies and Cowboys traded a run each in the seventh and eighth innings with a deep solo shot by LaRue in the seventh inning and an RBI single by Bard scoring Prinner in the top of the eighth inning. Arriving at the bottom of the seventh inning after Christian Diaz allowed an RBI double to bring the Cowboys within two runs at 8-6, Jarek Wells entered the game to pitch the final 2.2 innings of the series finale. After striking out his first batter on three straight pitches, Wells retired the side before giving up a leadoff walk and an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning. After back-to-back outs before giving up the team on a groundout, the senior entered the ninth inning with a two-run advantage. Wells struck out the bottom of the final quarter on 10 pitches, including a five-pitch strikeout to the first batter. The Huskies ended a nine-game conference losing streak with a 9-7 victory in the series finale at McNeese.

The Huskies (16-30, 7-14 SLC) were led by Jewell and Halligan with multi-hit games in the doubleheader. Jewell went 2-for-4 in each game (4-for-8 that day) with a double, a trio of RBIs and runs and a walk. Halligan also had two hits in each game, going 4 for 7 on the day with a double, two RBIs, two runs and two walks. Bard had a season-high six RBIs while going 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles and walks. LaRue homered and collected hits in each game, scoring four runs in the final conference road games. Rye Gunter (2-2) was marked for loss in the opener by pitching 0.2 innings to start the game, allowing four earned runs on four hits. Brayden Gilley pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief with three hits, one walk and one strikeout. Nolan Wilson pitched two shutout innings of relief with three strikeouts before James Kirkpatrick pitched the final shutout inning of relief with two strikeouts. Marc Lopez (2-0) earned its second win of the season by pitching 1.2 innings of relief in Game 2, allowing one earned run on two hits with one walk. Wells picked up his second save of the year by pitching the final 2.2 frames of game two, allowing one earned run on one hit with a walk and four strikeouts.

McNeese (27-23, 10-11 SLC) was led by Elliot Hebert going 4-for-9 on the day with a double, a walk, five runs and two RBIs. Braley Hollins also went 4 for 9 with two doubles, three runs, two RBIs and a walk, while Chase Keeton was 3 for 7 with four RBIs, two runs and a walk. balls. Brock Barthelemy (3-0) earned the win in Game 1 by pitching 3.2 innings of relief, allowing one earned run on two hits with two walks and strikeouts. Daelan Caraway started the game pitching two innings, allowing one earned run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Ty Abraham (3-2) was scarred for the loss in Game 2, pitching four innings of relief, allowing four earned runs on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Caleb Strmiska started Game 2, pitching three innings while allowing four earned runs on three hits with a trio of walks and strikeouts.

The Huskies will close out the conference season by hosting UIW for a three-game series at Husky Field Thursday through Saturday.