McNeese State at Southeastern Louisiana Friday, May 15, 2026

HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — McNeese State will try to slow Southeastern Louisiana’s momentum in a Southland Conference series opener Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

The Cowboys (27-23) enter the weekend having won five of their last six, including an 11-3 victory Thursday at Nicholls State. The Lions (31-19) are coming off a 3-2 win over Houston Christian on Thursday and have won four of five.

Southeastern Louisiana took two of three from McNeese State in Lake Charles from March 20-22, winning the finale 13-8 after the Cowboys prevailed 8-7 in 11 innings in the middle game.

Pitching matchup

McNeese State will start right-hander Eric Nachtsheim, who has been dominant over his past three starts. Nachtsheim threw eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a 6-1 win at Stephen F. Austin on May 2, then allowed two earned runs in six innings against Northwestern State on May 8. In his most recent outing Thursday, he threw six scoreless innings, allowing no hits and three unearned runs with three strikeouts in the win over Nicholls State. Nachtsheim is 1-2 in two appearances against Southland opponents this season.

Southeastern Louisiana counters with right-hander Blake Lobell, who has been equally sharp. Lobell threw a seven-inning shutout with five strikeouts in a 10-0 win at Lamar on May 2, then allowed two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 6⅔ innings Thursday against Houston Christian. Lobell’s only rough outing came April 18 at Texas-Rio Grande Valley, where he allowed five earned runs in 4⅓ innings.

Offensive standouts

In Thursday’s win, McNeese State got a home run and three RBIs from left fielder Isaiah Keller. First baseman Marcus Heusohn also homered and drove in a run.

Southeastern Louisiana’s offense was led by shortstop Connor Cuff, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday’s victory.

A simulation by Interstat projects a 7-6 victory for Southeastern Louisiana.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.