LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — Easton Dowell’s walk-off double to left-center field in the bottom of the 11th inning drove in Marcus Heusohn from first base, lifting McNeese State past Northwestern State 1-0 on Thursday night at Sudduth Coliseum.

The Cowboys improved to 24-23 overall and 24-22 in the Southland, while the Demons fell to 25-22 and 25-23. McNeese State managed only three hits but made the last one count. Cooper Golden earned top-star honors, striking out four over 7 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and no runs. Jaden Bahl added 3 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Northwestern State’s Dylan Marionneaux pitched nine hitless innings, striking out six, but was not involved in the decision. Caden Fiveash took the loss after allowing one earned run in 1 2/3 innings. The Demons collected seven hits, including two each from Joe Siervo and Sebastian Huerta, and one from Ethan Menard, but could not push a run across.

The game was the first of a three-game series between the Southland rivals.