Braley Hollins had his share of ups and downs in his first season as a Cowboy.

The infielder hit .329 with two home runs and 12 runs batted in while playing 25 games.

A injury to his wrist cost him about half the season, but Hollins’ success on the field left him confident heading into his second year at McNeese State.

It was supposed to be a big one as the Cowboys were counting on their transfer from McLennan (Texas) Community College to become an offensive weapon.

“Braley was one of the guys we were counting on this season,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “He had a good fall, was fully recovered and swinging the bat well.”

Healthy for the first time in his three college seasons, the redshirt sophomore excitedly began this season hoping to fulfill his talents. Three hits in the first three games against Texas A&M, currently ranked No. 1, increased those hopes.

Then, during a loss to nationally ranked Louisiana-Lafayette in the home opener it happened again, only this time the injury was different.

Hollins was hit in the head by a J.T. Etheridge pitch with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. With the game already decided little notice was taken as the game soon ended after Hollins was lifted for a pinch runner.

Upset with the loss more than anything, Hollins went home and tried to go to sleep but something didn’t feel right.

“I was off, just not feeling good,” Hollins said. “I could not get to sleep and my face was swollen. So I called the trainer.”

Already in concussion protocol, more tests showed that Hollins had suffered a broken bone in the back of his skull and was bleeding in his ear.

“It was scary,” Hollins said. “I didn’t remember the game much or being in the locker room after. I had a brain fog and felt disoriented.”

Another baseball season was now on hold.

“Nobody was sure about when I could come back,” Hollins said. “They said six to eight weeks, but they weren’t sure. There was so much uncertainty I didn’t know if I would be out for the season or not.

“There were a couple of times I felt like I was done for the season, but I knew I would play again at some point.”

He worked his way back through headaches and all the other problems that came with the injury that forced changes to his daily routine.

“My whole quality of life for three or four weeks was just not good,” Hollins said. “I could not get comfortable to sleep; my face was sore and swollen and the headaches never really went away. This injury was way more taxing than the others.”

There was also the mental toll not playing took as the Cowboys struggled to find their offense.

“I felt I was letting my guys down,” Hollins said. “Being on the sidelines and watching, not being out there with them, that was tough.”

Hollins returned two weeks ago to the McNeese lineup and quickly made an impact, homering twice and getting three hits in his second back. And while he has struggled some since, hitting .216, getting back on the field has been a victory.

“I was so happy to be back playing, back healthy,” Hollins said. “I don’t worry about getting in the box, I would rather get hit by a pitch than strike out.”

Now he says he wants to help the Cowboys make it to the Southland Conference Tournament so he can play as much as possible before the season ends. And then stay healthy for next season.

“I’m excited to be back playing with my guys,” Hollins said. “I’m really excited to have a clean year next year and show what I can do.

“I want to play as much baseball as I can.”

That would go a long way in helping McNeese’s postseason chances.