Conner Westenburg homered, had three hits, and scored three runs to lead McNeese State to an opening night victory over Wichita State Friday at Joe Miller Ballpark.

The Cowboys broke open a close game with three runs in the bottom of the seventh as Mack Brousseau came up with the big hit. Brousseau drove in two runs with a two-out double and scored moments later on an error.

That helped the Cowboys to a 7-1 victory over the Shockers in the first of a three-game series. It is the most runs scored by McNeese in an opener since 2020. Game 2 is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.

“There were a lot of good things that happened tonight,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “Just a good team win.”

Westenburg started the night’s scoring with a solo homer in the third. 

Sergio Lopez got off to a slow start in his McNeese career, allowing a run while hitting three batters in his first inning as Wichita State tied the game 1-1. From there, the right-handed reliever took control. 

He allowed just the one run on one hit over the final five innings to earn the victory. Lopez struck out seven and walked just one after replacing starter Alexis Gravel, who worked the first four innings.

McNeese finished with 12 hits while allowing just six. 

SOFTBALL

James Landreneau will have to wait another day to stand alone as the all-time winningest coach in McNeese State softball history.

Sixth-ranked Tennessee toppled the Cowgirls twice on Friday to begin play in the Lake Charles portion of the I-10 Border Classic. McNeese is sharing home duties with Lamar in the tournament that runs through Sunday.

The Lady Vols showed why they are considered a national title contender, beating McNeese 12-0 in six innings in the first game and 10-2 in the nightcap. 

Tennessee, which moves to Beaumont, Texas, for games on Saturday, improved to 7-1 on the young season. The Cowgirls fell to 4-4.

McNeese rallied to win a thriller Thursday night, giving Landrenau his 302nd career victory, tying him with Scott Eastman. 

Taylor Pannell and Laura Mealer each homered and drove in four runs in the opener, as Tennessee scored six times in the top of the sixth to break open Game 1.

In Game 2, the Cowgirls got to within 3-2 when they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. But Tennessee pulled away thanks in part to another Pannell home run.

Pannell drove in seven runs in the two games. Ella Dodge also homered in both games for the Lady Vols.