University of Louisiana southpaw Hunter Moody had the best start of his young career Wednesday against McNeese State.
Unfortunately, the Ragin Cajuns' offense didn't have one of its better nights.
UL (14-2) stranded 11 base runners as the visiting Cowboys (7-10) stunned the Cajuns 4-3 at Moore Field, ending the Cajuns' 10-game home winning streak. Moody struck out a career high 10 and scattered six hits in seven innings, but got the no decision. Micah Cockrell (0-1) entered in the eighth and McNeese quickly touched him up for two runs.
"Hunter did a great job for a freshman," UL coach Tony Robichaux said. "He caught a night where we just didn't protect him. He did what our pitching philosophy is here - don't worry about yourself, don't worry about trying to get a win. You keep your team in the ballgame and try to get the team a win. Hunter did that. We just didn't get the job done and they did."
Cockrell hit Tyler Dugas with one out in the eighth to start the Cowboys rally. Taylor Faul followed with an RBI double and Dustin Schroer's RBI single gave McNeese the 4-2 lead.
UL got a run back in the home half of the eighth on Adam Massiatte RBI groundout to second, but McNeese St. coach Chad Clement brought in No. 1 starter Jacob Marceaux in the bottom of the ninth to shut the door.Robichaux said Marceaux was scheduled to start, but was scratched before the game.
"I'm sure if the game would've been out of hand they surely don't pitch him," Robichaux said. "But again that's another failure of ours right there.
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Michael Krieg
mkrieg@theadvertiser.com