HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — Eric Nachtsheim pitched six innings of no-hit relief and Marcus Heusohn hit a two-run home run as McNeese State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 8-5 on Sunday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

The Cowboys improved to 29-24 overall, while the Lions fell to 33-21. McNeese State outhit Southeastern Louisiana 12-10.

Nachtsheim, the top star for the Cowboys, entered in the bottom of the fourth inning after starter Garett Blanchard allowed three runs in three innings. He struck out six batters and surrendered two earned runs despite allowing no hits, earning his second consecutive victory after a similar six-inning, no-hit effort against Nicholls State on May 14.

Heusohn finished 2 for 3 with the home run and two RBIs. Korey Cooper went 2 for 3 with one RBI. Isaiah Keller went 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the ninth inning. Connor Walker added two hits and an RBI.

For the Lions, Alex Perry went 3 for 4 with a solo home run. Connor Cuff homered in the seventh inning. Justin Williams drove in two runs on a single in the third inning.

McNeese State took an early lead in the second inning. DJ Pinkerton singled and Heusohn followed with a two-run homer to right field, his fourth of the season, giving the Cowboys a 2-0 advantage.

Southeastern Louisiana answered in the bottom of the second. Dane Watts singled and Alex Perry scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Lions tied the game in the third inning. With two outs, Cuff reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Williams’ two-run single through the right side, putting Southeastern Louisiana ahead 3-2.

McNeese reclaimed the lead in the fourth. Heusohn walked, Walker was hit by a pitch and Cooper singled to center field, scoring Heusohn and making it 3-3.

The Cowboys extended their lead in the fifth. Easton Dowell singled, advanced on a throwing error and scored on Hayden Stringfellow’s single to left field. Keller added a single, but McNeese left two runners stranded.

In the sixth, McNeese State added three more runs against reliever Dalton Gray. Heusohn singled, Walker singled and Cooper sacrificed. Dowell reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Heusohn. Danny Barbero then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Walker. McNeese led 8-3.

Southeastern Louisiana narrowed the gap in the seventh. Cuff hit his 16th home run of the season to right center, making it 8-4.

The Lions threatened again in the eighth. Perry led off with his 17th home run to left field, pulling within 8-5. But Nachtsheim retired the next three batters.

McNeese added an insurance run in the ninth when Keller hit his 12th home run to left center, finalizing the score at 8-5.

Blanchard started for the Cowboys and allowed three earned runs on five hits over three innings with one strikeout. Blake Lobell started for the Lions and gave up four earned runs on seven hits over five innings with five strikeouts. Gray relieved Lobell and allowed four earned runs on five hits over four innings with five strikeouts.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Southeastern Louisiana 7, McNeese State 6, and its ELO system gave the Lions a 53.40 percent probability to win.