LAKE CHARLES, La. _ One big inning carried the McNeese State Cowboys to a 9-6 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Sunday at Cowboy Diamond.

The Cowboys (15-14, 6-6) scored six runs in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and take the weekend series 2-1. The Bears (13-16, 4-8) scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning off McNeese’s ace closer Jordan Legros to make it interesting.

McNeese used six hits to score six times in the sixth inning, including a two-run double by Lee Orr. In the ninth, the Bears sent seven batters to the plate against Legros, who leads the Southland Conference with eight saves.

Greg Noble started it when he was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a ground out. After Legros got Kyle Prevett on strikes, Doug Votolato walked and Jonathan Davis singled to load the bases. Jonathan Houston then singled to score Noble and freshman Logan Moon got his first career hit and first RBI, knocking in Votolato to make it 9-6.

Legros ended it by striking out Michael Pair with the bases loaded.

After McNeese took a 2-0 lead in the first, UCA got single runs in the second, third and fourth innings. Third baseman Bryan Willson had a leadoff home run in the second, Prevett doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the third and Zack Dickson had an RBI single in the fourth.

Dickson and Prevett both finished 2 for 4 with and RBI and a run scored as the Bears totaled 11 hits. Three players had two hits for the Cowboys, with Seth Granger getting three RBI.

UCA hosts UAPB at 6 p.m. Tuesday and hosts Texas State in a three-game conference series this weekend.