CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS- McNeese softball extended its winning streak to six games and opened its Southland Conference series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a 6-1 win Friday afternoon.
 
"I love the way our kids competed today," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "Our offense did an excellent job of hitting with two outs and each individual hitter made great adjustments at the plate."
 
McNeese (18-6, 4-0 SLC) outhit Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-15-1, 0-4 SLC) 9-8 and both teams left six runners stranded.
 
Bryanna Castro led McNeese at the plate, going 3 for 4 including her second home run of the season. Castro also had three RBI and scored three runs along with one stolen base.
 
Emily Vincent improved to 8-1 on the year after giving up six hits, one run, two walks and struck out five batters in 5 1/3 innings. Jamie Allred picked up her third save of the season after going 1 2/3 innings in relief.
 
McNeese took a 3-0 lead with two outs in the third inning off three consecutive hits. Vincent reached base on a walk before coming home on an Erika Piancastelli double to left for a 1-0 lead. Castro brought Piancastelli home on a single to left before coming home herself on a Lauren Langner triple to right center.
 
The Cowgirls added a run in the fifth on a Tori Yanitor RBI single to left to extend its lead to 4-0.
 
The Islanders scored their only run of the game in the sixth but had a chance to score more after leaving the bases loaded. Cosette Hernandez led the inning off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brittney Morse.
 
Junior hurler Jamie Allred came into to relieve starter Vincent with one out in the sixth. Allred gave up a single to the first batter she face that allowed the Islander to load the bases. Allred got Lindsey Lyles to fly out to left and Hayley Galloway to fly out to third in foul territory to end the threat.
 
"Emily and Jamie competed in the circle well. They got out of some jams and really kept the momentum on our side," said Hardin. "Erika works hard for every pitch behind the plate. Our battery is starting to get a really good rhythm together."
 
McNeese extended its lead to 6-1 in the seventh with two runs on two hits. Piancastelli walked and came home to score on a two run home run by Bryanna Castro.
 
The series will conclude with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.
 
"Every conference game is tough, so we need to come out tomorrow with the same energy and focus."