Feb. 24, 2006

Final Stats

Derek Blacksher hurled eight and one-third innings of shutout ball as McNeese State turned back Siena 3-0 Friday night. Ken Grant, Trevor Reid and James Pacifico combined to allow just four hits, but the Cowboys scored twice in the first and once in the second and held on.

The win was the third in a row for the Cowboys and sent their record to 5-4, while Siena was opening the season. The two teams will play another game beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday and one on Sunday starting at 10 a.m.

In the first inning centerfielder Charlie Kingrey plated two runs with a triple for McNeese.

McNeese added its third run in the second inning with Shon Landry driving in Beau Knowles with a ground out to second base.

Siena made its biggest threat in the ninth inning, getting runners on first and second before Ryan Leger came on for Blacksher to retire the side and record a save.

Sophomore Chris Klepps had two hits for the Saints. Siena out-hit the Cowboys 7-4.

Blacksher ran his record to 2-1, striking out 11 batters and not walking any. Siena starter Ken Grant absorbed the loss.

The shutout was the second straight for the Cowboys and ran their streak to 19 straight scoreless innings.

Grant pitched the first three innings, allowing all three runs (two earned) despite sacrificing just one hit. Grant walked three batters and struck out three. Reid allowed just two hits in working the middle three innings and did not give up a run. Pacifico worked a scoreless seventh an eighth.

Catcher Joe Hulett led the Cowboys at the plate with two hits while Kingrey and Taylor Faul had one each.