Home runs by Dustin Duhon and Carson Maxwell highlighted a five run third inning and McNeese State went on to defeat Louisiana 6-3 Wednesday night at Russo Park.

After McNeese took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the two home runs off starter Grant Cox (1-1) accounted for three of the runs and an rbi double by Nate Fisbeck and a run scoring single by Jace Dickerson capped the big inning.

The Cajuns (17-19) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third on rbi doubles by Hayden Cantrelle and Hunter Kasuls and a sacrifice fly by Todd Lott.  But the Cajuns were unable to dent the scoreboard again as five McNeese relievers kept the Cajuns at bay the rest of the night.

Connor Cooke and Michael Leaumont pitched 6.1 innings of shutout baseball for the Cajuns to give the team a chance to come back, but Louisiana could only mount a real threat in the fifth inning when O'Neal Lochridge singled and Hunter Kasuls singled with one out.  After Lott lined to left field, Tremaine Spears walked to load the bases, but Orynn Veillon flied out to right field, leaving the bases loaded.

Bryan King (4-1) got the start for the Cowboys (17-16) and was credited with the win in a designated short start.  Maxwell, Fisbeck and Duhon each had a pair of hits to lead the 10-hit Cowboys' attack, while Lochridge and Kasuls each had three hits for the Cajuns, who tallied nine for the contest.

Louisiana hosts rival South Alabama in a three game set this weekend to wrap up the eight game homestand at Russo Park.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL