Chase Keeton got a big surprise when he got to Joe Miller Ballpark Friday for the Southland Conference opener against Nicholls State.

The junior college transfer found out he was in the Cowboys’ starting lineup.

“I was excited and chomping at the bit,” Keeton said.

He responded with a home run and triple in his first two at-bats to lead McNeese State to an 8-3 victory in the first of a three-game weekend series with the Colonels (13-11).

Even stranger for Keeton, the outfielder was playing first base and made a diving stop as a topper.

“I just want to be in the lineup,” he said. “It was incredible. I love being out there.”

McNeese (16-6) also got home runs from Brad Burckel in the first, his fourth of the season, and Taylor Darden, who hit is first in the fifth.

But Keeton was the story. His lone plate appearance before Friday ended in a strikeout.

However, an injury to freshman Braley Hollins, and some solid play during practices, gave Keeton a chance.

“An opportunity arose, some guys left the door open, and he walked in,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “It shows you have to be ready for your moment.”

Keeton blasted his first career home run in the third with a runner on then narrowly missed his second in the fifth. Both times Braden Duhon scored on the hits.

“It was a couple of big swings,” Keeton said. “It was fun to be out there with the guys.”

Josh Leslie had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for the Cowboys, giving him 31 in the first 22 games.

That was more than enough for ace Grant Rogers, who improved to 6-0 with a solid seven innings of work.

For the third time Rogers allowed a run in the game but worked well enough, striking out seven and allowing the three runs on seven hits. He didn’t walk a batter before turning things over to Ty Abraham in the eight who finished it off.

Rogers outdueled Colonels lefty Tyler Theriot (2-4), who was knocked out after 51/3 by six runs on eight hits.

Rogers, who got 13 of his 21 outs on ground balls on a day when the wind was blowing out hard to left, retired 14 in a row at one point.

“That is what he does, he kept it small,” Hill said of Rogers. “When Rogers is out there you feel pretty good.”

The teams will play again at 2 p.m. today with McNeese using Houston transfer Derrick Cherry (3-0, 2.73 ERA) against fellow right-hander Devin Desandro (1-2, 4.35). There is a chance because of the weather it could be a doubleheader, but as of Friday night the finale was set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Hill said a decision won’t come until Saturday morning.

Zach Voss (1-2, 3.37) is the starter for McNeese with freshman Mayers (3-1, 2.55) going for the Colonels in Game 3.