A long weekend ended in sweeping disappointment for the Cowboys Sunday afternoon.

Incarnate Word took advantage of 10 free passes and a pair of long home runs to knock off McNeese State 10-5 at Joe Miller Ballpark. 

The win gave the Cardinals a sweep of the Southland Conference weekend series, sending McNeese to the bottom of the standings alone.

“We have to search for some things,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “The guys are a little discouraged. The good news is we still have time to turn it around.”

The loss dropped McNeese to 16-18, 2-7, and was the Cowboys’ sixth straight defeat. Incarnate Word improved to 20-14, 5-4.

Five Cowboy pitchers walked six and hit four more, putting 10 Cardinal runners on base. That helped put McNeese in an early hole, as UIW scored eight runs in the first four innings.

“The free stuff hurt us,” said Hill. “This got away from us early.”

A four-run fourth put the Cardinals up 8-1.

McNeese starter Alexis Gravel (0-2) gave up seven hits and seven runs in just three innings of work. Twice he hit Tyler Cowan, who scored both times he reached base.

Dalton Beck and JD Gregson each homered to power the Cardinal attack. Dalton’s solo shot in the third was his ninth of the season and second in two days.

The 422-foot blast cleared the wall in right and made it 4-1.

For Gregson, his two-run shot in the sixth was his fifth of the season and put an end to the Incarnate Word scoring on the day.

Grant Randall had three hits for the Cardinals. Dave Johnson worked four innings in relief to get the victory and improve his record to 4-2.

“Credit their hitters, when they got their opportunities they made the most of them,” said Hill. “We are struggling to do that, get the big hit.

“Our kids know it, they are pressing.”

McNeese made things a little closer with three runs in the ninth, chasing Johnson. Conner Westenburg’s two-run double was the big hit of the rally.

Westenburg, Grant Mangrum, and Peyton LeJeune all finished with three hits as McNeese actually outhit the Cardinals 11-10. 

The Cowboys will finish their homestand Tuesday night when they play former Southland rival Sam Houston State at 6 p.m. They will be back in conference action next weekend when they travel to New Orleans.