Irvine Lifts McNeese State with Ninth-Inning Two-Run Home Run
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - McNeese State third baseman Steven Irvine hit two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Cowboys to an 8-7 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the opening round of the 2010 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament at Whataburger Field.
Leading 7-6 with two out in the top of the ninth, Southeastern Louisiana reliever Chris Franklin walked McNeese shortstop Jace Peterson and then gave up the game-winning shot over the left-field fence to Irvine (1-1 slider). Irvine finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and scored a pair of runs.
Blake Ellender was 2-for-5 and drove in two runs, the first a lead-off home run in the top of the first. Peterson also had two hits in the game and drove in another. Bryn Thompson was 1-for-3 and plated two. Tyler Davis improved to 4-6 with the win. McNeese, which turned four double plays, had 10 hits.
Southeastern (39-18) also had 10 hits in the game, led by designated hitter Joe Sparacino, who was 2-for-4 with four RBI thanks to a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game. Right fielder Cody Gougler's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh gave the Lions a 7-5 lead, perhaps sparked by Franklin who started the top of the seventh and retired the three batters he faced. Franklin took the loss to fall to 8-6 on the year.
McNeese (30-25) will play Thursday at 4 p.m. against the winner of the Lamar vs. Northwestern State game. Southeastern faces elimination against the loser of that game Thursday at 9 a.m.
McNeese State Coach Terry Burrows:
"Blake hit the home run early, took the edge off. Give Southeastern credit we walked a couple guys then committed the error.
"Irvine's homerun, it meant a lot and we were able to battle back and was a big homerun, we haven't been out all year and being able to do so yet again. Jaden pitched well early on but when he got late he left one up but I was happy with how we battled back yet again."
McNeese State third baseman Steven Irvine
"It's important to win the first one and get out to a good start when pitching is in short supply later in the tournament. Get out on a good note we battled back and every time they score we score.
"The pitch was a slider on a 1-1 pitch. They are a good team and have been on top of the league all year. Today was my turn when it's been other guys for us all year long. It was my time today to help us."
Southeastern Louisiana Coach Jay Artigues
"Tip your hat to McNeese they out hit us and out pitched us and got that big hit. You like your chances when you bring in Franklin in that situation. Again you credit McNeese for getting the job done late in the game."