McNeese walks all over Alcorn, scores nine runs in first inning of series opener
Published 8:00 am Saturday, February 26, 2022
- McNeese State’s Reid Bourque slides into home plate to score on a wild pitch as Alcorn State pitcher Andrew Meadows jumps over him in the first inning Friday at Cowboy Diamond. (Kirk Meche / Special to the American Press)
On a night made for penguins, the Cowboys had some fun.
With the game-time temperature at 44 degrees and a windchill of 38, McNeese State got off to a hot start Friday night before only the bravest of fans in Joe Miller Ballpark.
Scoring nine times on four hits in the first inning, the Cowboys crushed Alcorn 13-0 in seven innings in the opener of a four-game weekend series.
It was the Braves’ first game of the year. Three Alcorn pitchers combined to walk eight batters.
The Cowboys’ offense will get the headlines, but Chance Stone may have been the bigger story.
Making his first start since Tommy John surgery 11 months ago, Stone (1-0) went four innings to earn the victory. It was his second outing of the season and first decision.
“I feel great,” Stone said. “I have no pain and feel like I am just gaining arm strength.”
Stone had surgery last March 21, after blowing out his arm in the season’s third game at Alabama.
“I did not think I would be back this soon,” Stone said. “But everything is going good. I hope to be able to go longer by the time conference starts.”
Stone allowed two hits while striking out four and walking a pair of Braves. In his 6 1/3 innings this year he has allowed one earned run while striking out eight.
Sean-Michael Bradley worked three perfect innings in relief to earn his first save. Bradley struck out the first six Braves he faced, adding to an effective McNeese pen.
Cowboys relievers have allowed three earned runs in 24 innings of work.
“I think we have some competition going on with those guys down there,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “That is a good thing to have.”
McNeese (3-2) scored all the runs it would need in the opening inning. After the first two hitters were retired, next 10 Cowboys reached base off Alcorn starter Andrew Meadows.
Julian Gonzales started and ended the fun for McNeese. His double began the rally and his three-run triple ended it.
Gonzales, who entered the game struggling, raised his batting average 123 points in the inning to .200. He was also hit by pitches twice.
