Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
SFA Falls in Extras at McNeese State, 7-6
5/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
McNeese State 7, Stephen F. Austin 6 (11)
Cowboy Diamond · Lake Charles, La.
Records: SFA (15-33, 9-17 SLC); McN (28-20, 17-10 SLC)
Up Next: at Lamar · Friday, May 8 · 6:30 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Stephen F. Austin rallied in the eighth inning Sunday afternoon, sending its series finale against McNeese State into extra innings. But once again it was the Cowboys that recorded the key hits in the clutch, outlasting the Lumberjacks 7-6 in 11 innings, sweeping the three-game weekend series.
Trailing 6-5 heading to the eighth, Hunter Wilson began the comeback with a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matthew Dickey. Eric DeJesus then ripped an RBI double, scoring Wilson as the equalizer.
But the Lumberjacks were unable to register a hit over the final three innings, then watched the Cowboys record the game-winning RBI with one out in the 11th to secure the series sweep, winning their fifth-straight over SFA.
Unlike the previous two games against McNeese, SFA was the one that raced out to an early lead, getting RBI singles from Kyle Thornell and Zach Valenzuela in the top of the first to build a 2-0 lead. The `Jacks then extended that advantage to 3-0 in the second off a sacrifice fly by Nick Ramos, scoring Wilson.
The Cowboys answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 3-3 before an RBI from Valenzuela with runners at the corners in the top of the fifth put SFA back on top 4-3. The Lumberjacks extended the advantage to 5-3 in the sixth thanks to another RBI double from DeJesus, allowing Wilson to cross the plate once again.
But the SFA bullpen couldn't shut down the Cowboys, watching as McNeese scored one in the sixth and two more in the seventh, taking the 6-5 lead after seven complete and setting up the dramatic final innings.
After managing just five hits Saturday, SFA responded with 12 hits Sunday, led by Conner Fikes' 3-for-6 performance with two runs scored. DeJesus went 2-for-4 with his pair of RBI doubles with Dan O'Neill and Wilson each recording a pair of hits as well, leading to Wilson's career-high three runs scored.
Starter Jarred Green lasted 6.0 innings for the Lumberjacks, allowing four run on six hits for the no decision. Tyler Day was tagged for the loss after pitching 3.1 innings, giving up a run on three hits as he allowed the game-winning baserunner for the Cowboys in the 11th before leaving the game.
SFA now turns its attention to the final Southland Conference series of the series, preparing for a three-game set at Lamar next weekend. Game one is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, in Beaumont.
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