LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — Incarnate Word used a trio of early home runs and four hitless relief innings to defeat McNeese State 6-2 in Southland Conference play Friday at Sudduth Coliseum.

The Cardinals, projected as underdogs, scored all their runs in the first three innings. Trent Rucker hit a two-run homer in the second before Colin Cymbalista and another Cardinal connected for solo shots in the third.

McNeese State scored on an RBI single by Heusohn in the first and an RBI double by Stancliff in the second but was silenced thereafter. Incarnate Word relievers Chase Blease, Zac Colletti, Ashton Perkins and Fawster Voytko combined for six innings of no-hit ball. Blease struck out six over three perfect frames.

Incarnate Word improved to 16-17. McNeese State fell to 15-17. The series continues Saturday.