LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — The Houston Christian Huskies capitalized on early opportunities and weathered a late push to defeat the McNeese State Cowboys 3-1 in the first game of a Southland Conference doubleheader on Friday at Sudduth Coliseum.

The Huskies (7-7, 1-0) scored twice in the second inning and added a critical insurance run in the ninth to secure the series-opening win. The Cowboys (6-7, 0-1) managed just one run on six hits, stranding several key runners.

Houston Christian struck first in the second inning. Damian Castilleja led off with a single and advanced to second on a single by Kade Curtis. Anthony Defazio then drove a double to right-center field, scoring Castilleja. Curtis moved to third on the play but was left stranded.

The Huskies extended their lead to 2-0 in the third. After a double by Kellen Halligan and a fielder’s choice, a passed ball allowed the runner to move into scoring position. Castilleja delivered again, this time with an RBI double to left field.

McNeese State answered in the bottom of the third. Bryce Fontenot singled and advanced to second on a balk. After a walk, Hayden Stringfellow delivered a two-out single to score Fontenot, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Cowboys threatened again in the fourth, putting Fontenot on second with one out, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

From there, the game settled into a pitchers’ duel. McNeese State starter Cooper Golden allowed two earned runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out five. He was relieved by Jaden Bahl, who kept the Cowboys close with 3 2/3 strong innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out five.

The most important part of the game came in the top of the ninth inning. With Houston Christian clinging to a 2-1 lead, the Huskies staged a two-out rally against Bahl. Trevor Rader and Diego Avalos hit consecutive singles, prompting a pitching change. Brady Corcoran entered for McNeese State, but Kellen Halligan greeted him with an RBI single to right field, scoring Rader for a crucial insurance run. Halligan then stole second to put two runners in scoring position before a strikeout ended the threat.

That extra run proved pivotal in the bottom of the ninth. Fontenot led off with a double, bringing the tying run to the plate with no outs. However, the next two batters were retired on a popout and a flyout. A pinch-hitter was called upon with two outs, but he struck out swinging to end the game, sealing the Houston Christian victory.

Fontenot was a bright spot for the McNeese State offense, going 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Stringfellow drove in the Cowboys’ lone run. For Houston Christian, Castilleja finished 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI, while Halligan had two hits, including the key ninth-inning RBI single.

The win gave Houston Christian a positive start to conference play, while McNeese State saw its two-game win streak snapped. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Friday evening.

The result defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-5 Houston Christian victory, while its ELO system gave McNeese State a 69.4 percent probability to win.