LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana – The Huskies closed out the conference series against McNeese splitting the double-header Saturday claiming the series finale, 9-7, after losing 6-13 in the opening game of the day at Joe Miller Ballpark.

In game one, the Huskies allowed all 13 runs in the first four innings en route to a 6-13 loss. After allowing four runs in the bottom of the first inning, HCU got on the board in the top of the third inning when Trevor Roper hit a lead-off single to right field. After advancing to third base on a Samuel Benjamin single to right field, Roper scored on an RBI single to the pitcher by Katcher Halligan to get the Huskies within three runs at 1-4, McNeese posted another four runs in the bottom of the third inning and five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 12 runs, 1-13. Responding quickly, HCU lead off the top of the fifth inning with a single to right field off the bat of Benjamin. With a single up the middle by William Jewell, Benjamin advanced to scoring position. The Huskies loaded the bases thanks to a single by Halligan. Down to his last strike with a 1-2 pitch, Ty Hodge hit a bases loaded two-RBI, double down the right field line, scoring Benjamin and Jewell. After Halligan and Hodge scored on a double to right center by Luke Bard, the Huskies racked up four runs in the top of the fifth inning to narrow the margin to 5-13. With HCU's third lead-off single of the game in the top of the ninth inning by Tyler LaRue, LaRue scored on a double by Bard after advancing to second when Jewell drew a walk to give the Huskies their final run of the game and extend their series deficit to 0-2.

In game two, the Huskies struck first for the first time in the series notching two runs in the top of the second inning. HCU got on the board starting with a lead-off walk by LaRue before scoring on a double down the right field line by Jewell. Jewell scored on a Halligan double down the left field line to give the Huskies an early, 2-0, lead. The Cowboys tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning before HCU grabbed its largest lead of the series posting three runs in the top of the fifth inning. After a one out single by Roper, Benjamin singled to right field to advance Roper to second. A LaRue single to right field loaded the bases for Jewell for the second time of the day. Coming in clutch again, Jewell hit a line drive single to right center field scoring Roper and Benjamin while advancing LaRue to third base. The Huskies claimed a three-run lead, 7-4, on a sacrifice bunt by Halligan scoring LaRue. McNeese narrowed the deficit back to two runs recording a run in the bottom of the frame. The Huskies and the Cowboys traded one run each in the seventh and eighth innings with a deep solo-shot by LaRue in the seventh inning and an RBI single by Bard scoring Prinner in the top of the eighth inning. Coming in the bottom of the seventh inning after Christian Diaz allowed an RBI double to get the Cowboys within two runs at 8-6, Jarek Wells entered the game to pitch the final 2.2 innings of the series finale. After striking out his first batter on three straight pitches, Wells retired the side before giving up a lead-off walk and an RBI double in the bottom of the eight inning. After back-to-back strikeouts before retiring the side on a groundout, the senior entered the ninth inning with a two run advantage. Wells retired the bottom of the final frame on 10 pitches including a five-pitch strikeout to the lead off batter. The Huskies snapped a nine-game conference losing streak with a 9-7 win in the series finale at McNeese.

The Huskies (16-30, 7-14 SLC) were led by Jewell and Halligan with multi-hit games in the double-header. Jewell went 2-for-4 in each game (4-for-8 on the day) with a double, a trio of RBIs and runs, and a walk. Halligan also tallied two hits in each game going 4-for-7 on the day with a double, two RBIs, two runs and a pair of walks. Bard drove in a season-high six RBIs on the day going 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles and walks. LaRue hit a home run and tallied hits in each game scoring four runs in the final road conference games. Rye Gunter (2-2) was tagged with the loss in game one pitching .2 innings to start the game, allowing four earned runs on four hits. Brayden Gilley pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief with three hits and a walk and a strikeout. Nolan Wilson tossed two shutout innings of relief with three strikeouts before James Kirkpatrick pitched the final shutout inning of relief with two strikeouts. Mark Lopez (2-0) claimed his second win of the season pitching 1.2 innings of relief in game two, allowing one earned run on two hits with a walk. Wells notched his second save of the year pitching the final 2.2 frames of the second game allowing one earned run on one hit with a walk and four strikeouts.

McNeese (27-23, 10-11 SLC) was led by Elliot Hebert going 4-for-9 on the day with a double, a walk, five runs and two RBIs. Braley Hollins also went 4-for-9 with two doubles, three runs, two RBIs and a walk while Chase Keeton went 3-for-7 with four RBIs, two runs and a walk. Brock Barthelemy (3-0) earned the win in game one pitching 3.2 innings of relief allowing one earned run on two hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. Daelan Caraway started the game pitching two innings, giving up one earned run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Ty Abraham (3-2) was tagged with the loss in game two, tossing four innings of relief allowing four earned runs on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Caleb Strmiska started game two, pitching three innings while giving up four earned runs on three hits with a trio of walks and strikeouts.

The Huskies will close out the conference season hosting UIW for a three-game series at Husky Field on Thursday – Saturday.