LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — Isaiah Keller launched a three-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday, capping a furious late rally and lifting the McNeese State Cowboys to an 8-6 victory over the Incarnate Word Cardinals in a Southland Conference baseball game at Sudduth Coliseum.

The Cowboys, who trailed 6-3 entering the eighth inning, scored five unanswered runs to secure the series win after the teams split the first two games.

The decisive ninth began with reliever Hayden Capers, who had ended the eighth, being replaced by Blease. After a flyout, Matt Stancliff singled and Barbero was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Keller, a pinch-hitter who had entered the game in the top of the inning for defense. Keller connected on the first pitch he saw from Blease, driving it over the left-field wall for his second home run of the season and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The comeback spoiled a dominant start and a big offensive inning for Incarnate Word. Cardinals starter Fawster Voytko held McNeese State to just four hits over 7 1/3 innings, but was charged with five runs, four earned. His outing was overshadowed by a explosive fifth inning from his own lineup.

The Cardinals broke open a 3-2 game in the fifth, sending 10 men to the plate and scoring six runs on five hits against reliever Nachtsheim. The rally was capped by a three-run homer from catcher Colin Cymbalista, his seventh of the season, which gave Incarnate Word a commanding 6-3 lead.

McNeese State began chipping away in the eighth. After a leadoff walk, Hayden Stringfellow hit a two-run homer off Voytko to cut the deficit to 6-5 and chase the starter. The Cowboys later loaded the bases but could not tie the game.

The Cardinals, who out-hit McNeese State 10-11, missed a key opportunity to add insurance in the top of the ninth. They put runners on first and second with none out but grounded into a double play and a flyout to end the threat.

McNeese State relievers Carlos Garcia, Jairus Miller and Jake Blackwell combined for three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, to keep the Cowboys within striking distance. Garcia started and pitched three perfect innings with one strikeout.

Stancliff led the Cowboys’ 11-hit attack, going 3 for 5 with a solo home run in the first inning. Stringfellow finished with a homer and two RBIs, while Kaden Schuck added two hits and an RBI.

For Incarnate Word, Cymbalista drove in three runs on his homer, while Enriquez had two hits and two RBIs.

With the win, McNeese State evened its season record at 17-17 overall. Incarnate Word fell to 16-19. The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 5-4 Cardinals win, though its ELO rating system gave the Cowboys a 67.5% probability to win.

Both teams turn to midweek non-conference action next. McNeese State hosts Grambling on Tuesday, while Incarnate Word travels to face Texas Tech on Wednesday.