The Louisiana Tech dugout celebrates one of the six runs it scored in the fourth inning against McNeese State during the first of a three-game series Friday night at Joe Miller Field. The Bulldogs added to their lead with a four-run fifth. (Rick Hickman / American Press)

After getting off to a fast start, the Cowboys cooled just when the weather started heating up.

No. 25 Louisiana Tech, loser of four straight, took out its frustration on McNeese State Friday night in the opener of a three-game weekend series.

The Bulldogs used a six-run fourth to fuel a 21-4 victory at Joe Miller Ballpark. For good measure they scored six in the ninth.

The loss was the first in six outings for the Cowboys (7-3). Tech improved to 6-4 with its first win in a week.

The Bulldogs blasted six home runs and had 20 hits overall. Of those, 12 went for extra bases.

Wade Elliott led the way for Tech, going 4-for-5 with a pair of homers. He drove in five and scored four times from the No. 9 spot in the order.

Cole McConnell was 4-for-6 with a homer and five RBIs and Jorge Corona and homered.

During the big fourth, Corona had an RBI triple while Steele Netterville had the biggest blow, a three-run double.

Taylor Young and Phil Matulia also homered.

The Bulldogs scored in all but the second and sixth innings against nine McNeese pitchers. Cowboys pitchers threw 212 pitches.