McNeese State Cowboys Look to Build Momentum Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — The McNeese State Cowboys and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders continue their Southland Conference series Saturday after opening the three-game set Friday.

The Cowboys (18-17) enter with a slight edge in overall record over the Islanders (16-21). McNeese State has won four of its last six games, including a 7-3 midweek victory over Grambling on Tuesday. In that win, reliever Jaden Bahl struck out four over two perfect innings, and Hayden Stringfellow and Isaiah Keller each drove in two runs.

Bahl has been a key bullpen arm for McNeese State, allowing just one earned run over his last 11 2/3 innings spanning seven appearances. In that stretch, he has surrendered only four hits while striking out 15.

The Islanders are looking to rebound after a 14-7 non-conference loss at Texas on Tuesday. Third baseman Jarrett Flaggert provided a bright spot in that defeat, going 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs. Flaggert has been on a power surge, homering in three of his last five games and driving in 12 runs over that span.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi had lost five straight before a 7-5 win at Southeastern Louisiana last Friday, part of a 1-3 series weekend.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 victory for McNeese State on Saturday, giving the Cowboys a 64.4% probability to win according to its ELO rating system.

Following Saturday’s contest, the series concludes Sunday at Chapman Field. McNeese State will host Louisiana Tech next Tuesday, while the Islanders travel to face Incarnate Word next weekend.