Despite being a long way from its campus, Cal State Northridge felt right at home in Lake Charles.

Behind two big innings, the Matadors took the opener of a three-game weekend series against McNeese State 9-6 Friday in Joe Miller Ballpark. The game was moved up to the afternoon in order to beat predicted rain showers.

What the Cowboys needed was a few more outs as their late rally came up short despite scoring three times in the ninth.

Peyton Johnson, who was moved into the cleanup spot, responded with a three-run double with two out in the ninth. It was Johnson’s second hit of the game and gave him a team-high 12 runs batted in.

But Northridge reliever Diego Gutierrez earned his first save two batters later when he got Kade Morris to pop up with two runners on the corners.

“We are not producing consistent offense,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill.

The loss was the fourth in five games for the Cowboys (8-6). Northridge improved to 8-5 by winning its second straight on the road.

“They strung together their hits better,” Hill said. “And we were not able to get them off the fastball.”

Jacob Simmons went 4-for-5 and was one of five Matadors to have at least two hits. Northridge finished with 15 hits, including five in a row during a four-run fourth when it took the lead for good, 6-3.

That’s also the inning the Matadors chased McNeese starter Chance Stone (1-2), who allowed five runs on eight hits over three-plus innings of work.

Meanwhile, after allowing three runs in the first two innings, Northridge starter Blake Sodersten (3-1) found his game. He worked into the night and gave up four runs on 11 hits but didn’t walk a batter while striking out five.

“I thought their guy got better and we didn’t,” Hill said.

McNeese also had five players get two hits with Tré Obregon, Payton Harden, Brad Burckel and Braden Duhon joining Johnson.

Burckel even stole home for McNeese’s first run in the opening inning.

But it wasn’t enough as Bert West’s RBI triple highlighted a three-run eighth for the Matadors which gave them enough breathing room to survive the Cowboys uprising in the ninth.