McNeese’s power pitching was back on display in the Southland Conference opener Friday night at Joe Miller Ballpark.

Alexis Gravel and Jake Blackwell combine to overpower Nicholls and give the Cowboys their best start since 2009

The duo struck out 18 and allowed just three singles as the Cowboys held off the defending champions 5-1. McNeese improved to 7-1, while the Colonels fell to 5-5.

“Just to win a ballgame when you are still trying to figure your team out is great,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “That is a tough team over there, so this is a nice start.”

Pitching has been the key to the fast start, as the 18 strikeouts were a season-high for the Cowboys, who have recorded double-digit whiffs in five straight games and six overall.

“We are pitching to our strengths and going out there and attacking batters,” said Blackwell, who struck out nine in his three innings. 

He allowed two hits while earning his first save of the season.

Gravel was good enough. He allowed just one hit and his first run of the season despite walking six. The lefty improved to 2-0 by striking out nine.

Gravel, named the Southland Pitcher of the Week Monday, struck out nine. He has fanned 21 over his last 12 innings.

“After the walks, I just tried to control what I could control and go back and attack,” said Gravel.

The Cowboys also displayed power at the plate, as Simon Larranaga and Easton Dowell each hit solo home runs. For both, it was their second of the season.

Larranaga’s homer came in the first, and Dowell’s shot was in the third, breaking a 1-1 tie. McNeese just missed a grand slam later in the third when Mack Brousseau pulled a ball foul with the bags loaded and two out.

Dowell and Conner Westenburg each had two hits for the Cowboys, who gave Nicholls starter Michael Lindsay his first loss of the season. 

McNeese added a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to give Blackwell more than enough room to finish things off. 

“Our offense did a good job giving us the runs we needed,” said Blackwell. “I just went out there and finished up.”

The series will continue Saturday with a 2 p.m. start time. Left-hander Cooper Golden (0-0, 5.63) will get the start for the Cowboys, while right-hander Alec Sparks (2-0, 1.80) takes the mound for the Colonels. 

The finale is set for Sunday at 4 p.m.