The Cowboys’ Kade Hunter, left, congratulates Reid Bourque after Bourque scored in the third inning against Southeastern Louisiana in Game 1 of the Southland Conference Tournament Thursday night at McNeese State’s Joe Miller Ballpark. (Rick Hickman / American Press)

For the past two weekends the Southland Conference baseball championship has run through McNeese State.

This was a bonus to the university which starting next year will host the conference championships in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. 

And the Cowboys will be doing that for at least four years if not longer. So this is proving to be a solid practice run for those tournaments.

“It has helped us to understand what is needed by teams and the conference,” said McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer. “It has been good for our department and I can’t say enough at how hard they have worked to pull this off.”

The Cowboys earned home field this year by winning the regular season. With ESPN+ streaming all games, it has given McNeese and Lake Charles national exposure, Schroyer said.

“I have said that athletics is the most important marketing tool a university can have,” he said. “I think some people are starting to see that with these games.

“There is no better way for us to build our brand than putting on a good tournament.”

Schroyer said the hope is by next year that most of the major repairs to Joe Miller Ballpark, such as a press box and covered seating, will be completed.

It’s all part of rebuilding.

— LAST ONE STANDING: The difference between the series being played in Lake Charles rather than Hammond came down to one day.

Heading into the season finale for both teams, the two clubs were tied after SLU won the first game of a doubleheader against Nicholls State. McNeese beat Houston Baptist after falling behind 7-0 while the Lions blew a late lead in the nightcap. 

The win gave McNeese the title and put the Cowboys home for the championship series.

— AS EXPECTED: While the order may be different, the teams playing in the first Southland championship series are not a surprise.

Southeastern and McNeese were picked 1-2 in the preseason conference poll with the Lions selected as the favorite. 

It was the first time since 2016 that the Lions were picked to win the league.

— UNDER REVIEW: It took until the top of the fourth inning before we had our first video review and reversal. It came on what was called a double play when Cowboys shortstop Reid Bourque caught a liner with a runner on first and one out.

Bourque snagged Champ Artigues’ line drive and fired to Kade Morris at first getting Tyler Finke.

The Lions asked for a review saying Morris’ foot was off the base. After a brief conference, the umpires upheld the call.

— RICH HISTORY: It may come as a surprise to many but McNeese has the most SLC Tournament championships of any current league member.

The Cowboys, winners of the last two, have four as the series opens. McNeese is the lone school with more than one.

When Lamar comes back after next season the Cardinals will have three. Sam Houston State leads all programs with six.

McNeese won the tourney in 1993, 2003, ’19, ’21. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.

— STREAK OVER: Heading into Game 1, McNeese outfielder Julian Gonzales had reached base nine consecutive times. 

That run ended when Gonzales grounded out to first in the bottom of the second last night. 

— ON DECK: Neither team has fully committed to a starter for tonight’s second game. 

It is likely the Lions will start right-hander Will Kinzeler (4-2, 3.69 ERA) if all goes right. He has been the ace this season but has also been suffering from a leg issue. 

McNeese has been going with Chance Stone (2-0, 3.81) in second games of series but he has not made it out of the first inning in each of his last two outings.

Game 2 is set for 6 p.m. with SLU slated as the home team. If there is a third game, it would be at 6 p.m. Saturday with the Cowboys once again getting last at-bats.