Payne Homers Twice as Wildcats Take Game One Over McNeese

Friday, March 27

Lake Charles, La.

6 p.m.

Abilene Christian

14-12

McNeese

13-13

Abilene Christian

McNeese

Photo by: Kaylee Kahn

Payne Homers Twice as Wildcats Take Game One Over McNeese

3/27/2026 10:05:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Lindsey Blasingame

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Wildcats (13-12) won the first of the three-game series with the McNeese State Cowboys (13-13) Friday night.

Lifted to victory by Zandt Payne's two-home run, three-RBI night, the Wildcats secured the 6-3 win. As the Wildcats scored in four of nine innings, Payne's home runs in the seventh and ninth gave the team its first lead and extended its last.

Brett Lanman went five innings in his seventh start of the year, allowing five earned runs on four hits while striking out 10 and walking three. Lanman, who exited after his fifth inning of work in a 3-3 ballgame, did not receive the winning decision.

He gave way to Evan Whiteaker who tossed four innings, surrendering one run on two hits out of the bullpen. After allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth, Whiteaker retired the next three he faced to secure the victory.

Cooper Golden started for the Cowboys on the mound. He went five innings, giving up three runs, just one earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out eight. Connor Achee replaced Golden in the sixth, receiving the losing decision after giving up three runs on four hits in his four innings of work.

Grant Watkins joined Payne with a home run of his own, his 14th of the year. Watkins and Payne were the only Cats to have two hits or more, while Watkins and Gavin Brzozowski were the only Wildcats to reach base safely three times.

The Wildcats outhit the Cowboys 8-6 while playing clean defense and leaving five runners aboard. The Cowboys second baseman Matt Stanclif, who struck out to end the game, committed the game's only error. McNeese left seven runners aboard, including a runner on third base in the ninth inning.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 3-4 on the road. The Cowboys fall to .500 on the year with their third loss in their last four games. Right-hander Aidan Coleman will get the ball for the Wildcats on Saturday as the team looks to win its sixth Saturday contest this season and secure the series victory.