CORPUS CHRISTI,Texas—McNeese softball completed its Southland Conference series with two shutouts (3-0, 5-0) against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday to complete the series sweep.
 
With the wins,  McNeese improves to 20-6 on the year and 6-0 in the Southland Conference. McNeese opened the series with a 6-1 win on Friday.
 
"Our kids competed really well again," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "They are hanging in at bats, making adjustments, and are fighting every pitch. They are extremely focused and intend on getting better every day," said Hardin.
 
The Cowgirls' pitching staff was solid in the circle Saturday as junior Jamie Allred picked up her first shutout win of the season in the opening game to improve to 4-3 on the season. Sophomore Rachel Smith followed that with her second shutout of the season to improve to 7-2 on the year.
 
"Jamie and Rachel both threw extremely well. They commanded the zone and were fierce in the circle."
 
The Cowgirls combined for 16 hits on the day with freshman Erika Piancastelli collecting four including her team leading eighth home run of the season in the second game. Junior Lauren Langner ended the day with three hits and one stolen base.  
 
"Our entire team contributed today. Our defensive subs made great plays and the bottom of our lineup produced three RBI's in the first game. Our pinch runners made great reads on the base paths. Everyone is involved and doing their job really well. Our strength is our depth and chemistry."
 
In the opening game of the doubleheader, McNeese jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the second inning off RBI's by Taylor Goree and Dakota Matiko.
 
Lauren Langner led the inning off with a single to third before moving to second on a walk by Morgan Catron. Langner and Catron advanced a base on a double steal before Matiko's ground out to second scored Langner. Goree's two out single to right field brought Catron home.
 
Four innings later, a RBI fielder's choice by Taylor Schmidt scored pinch runner Tori Yanitor for a 3-0 Cowgirl lead. Yanitor pinch ran for Piancastelli who walked to start the inning for the Cowgirls.
 
For the second straight game, McNeese outhit the Islanders with the Cowgirls picking up six hits and A&M-CC with five.
 
Langner led McNeese with a 2 for 2 plate appearance with one walk, scored a run and stole one base. Emily Vincent picked up the only extra base hit for the Cowgirls with a double in the first.
 
Jamie Allred improved to 4-3 on the season with the complete game shutout. The junior put together one of her best pitching performances of the season in her first shutout of the season. Allred allow one runner to advance past second base. She struck out one and walked only one batter.
 
In the second game, the Cowgirls opened it up with a run in the second frame on Schmidt's second RBI of the day. Langner reached base on a fielder's choice then came around to score on Schmidt's single to right.
Piancastelli gave the McNeese a 2-0 lead in the fourth with a lead off home run to left.
 
McNeese extended their lead to 4-0 in the sixth on a bases loaded walk by Catron for a 3-0 lead. The fourth run came when Bryanna Castro scored on a wild pitch.
 
Piancastelli put the final touches on the game in the seventh inning with a RBI double to right center that scored Vincent.
 
Smith gave up six hits with only two being extra base hits. She ended the game with four walks and four strikeouts.
 
McNeese will return home Tuesday to begin a six game home stand beginning with a three game series against Utah. The Cowgirls will remain home to host Houston Baptist in conference play on the weekend.