Grand Slam: Morris launches game winner in 11th

Published 9:30 am Saturday, April 23, 2022

Kade Morris finished it in grand style.

Morris hit the first pitch he saw from Gage Trahan off the back wall in left field for a grand slam to lead the Cowboys to a dramatic 7-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana Friday night in Joe Miller Ballpark.

Morris’ blast in the bottom of the 11th inning came after Trahan intentionally walked Reid Bourque to load the bases with one out. It was Morris’ team-leading seventh home run of the season.

“I just tried to put a good swing on a pitch and let what happens happen,” said Morris. “You can’t let the pressure get to you. You have to stay in the moment.”

Morris almost ended the game in the ninth, but his long fly to center was tracked down at the wall.

“I was hoping, trying to push that one, but I didn’t get it all,” Morris said. “I got the barrel on the last one.”

The win improves McNeese State to 21-17 overall and 7-6 in the Southland. SLU fell to 17-21 and 7-6.

“You get grey hair in a hurry,” said head coach Justin Hill. “I’m proud of the way we fought all night.”

It was McNeese’s second walk-off win home run of the season. Antonio Gauthier turned the trick against Cal State Northridge, but that was a solo shot.

The winning rally stared when Julian Gonzales walked with one out. Andrew Gonzales followed with a perfect hit-and-run single to right. Bourque was then given the free pass.

Trahan fell to 2-2 on the season with the loss.

Meanwhile, McNeese closer Cameron Foster first blew the save in the eighth and then rebounded to earn the victory. He improved to 3-1 on the season by going four innings and not allowing a hit while striking out five.

With one out in the eighth Foster hit Tyler Finke with an 0-2 pitch and a wild pitch moved him to second. Then, while stealing third, Poke catcher Andrew Gonzales’ throw end up in left field, sending Finke home.

It was Foster’s fifth blown save of the season. Finke proved to be the only batter to reach base on Foster.

“You want the save but after it’s gone you just have to shut the door,” said Foster. “You go out each inning starting fresh and try to throw up zeroes.”

Grant Rogers worked the first seven innings for McNeese and allowed just a pair of solo home runs. Evan Keller hit Rogers’ first offering of the night out into the parking lot behind the scoreboard in left for his fifth homer of the season.

Tristan Welch led off the seventh with a blast to center, also his fifth of the spring.

McNeese bounced back with three runs in the first, two scoring on Brad Burckel’s single to center. Andrew Gonzales chased Burckel home with a sacrifice fly moments later.

Game 2 of the series will start at 6 p.m. tonight.