HAMMOND--  Freshman Jolie Trahan picked up her first two career wins Sunday to lead McNeese softball to a doubleheader win 9-3 and 10-6 to complete the series sweep over Southeastern La.

"I'm so proud of how each girl competed and contributed today," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "They were focused and fought every pitch. The game paid them back today for all the work and perseverance they've showed in the last couple of weeks. It was fun to watch them work together and play as a team," said Hardin.

Trahan's victories came in relief in both contests as the rookie allowed only one run in 8 1/3 innings of work. She gave up seven combined hits with six in the first game and one in the second. Trahan relieved starter Emily Vincent in game one in the second inning with McNeese leading 3-2 and held the Lions to just one more run the rest of the way. In the second game, Trahan entered the game in the middle of the fifth and held Southeastern La. scoreless, giving up only one hit.

"Jolie grew up this weekend. She was tough as nails and did not back down from anyone. Southeastern La. is a tough lineup and they have a lot of power. I'm so proud of her staying the course this season-she's been grinding in the bull pen all year, so she was ready for this weekend and ready anytime we need her," Hardin said.

McNeese (29-18, 15-5 SLC) combined for 19 hits on the day, picking up nine in the first game and 10 in the second. The Cowgirls got timely hits and were aggressive when on the bases all day long, stealing six bases.

Three players led McNeese with three hits on the day. Despite four walks, Erika Piancastelli picked up three hits as did Vincent and Marisa Taunton. Vincent and Morgan Catron both had four RBI on the day and Piancastelli also scored five runs.

McNeese extended its lead to 5-2 in the third on a sacrifice bunt by Bryanna Castro and a Lion error. After SE La. scored a run in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 5-3, McNeese extended the lead to 8-3 with three runs in the fourth. A ground out by Vincent brought Taylor Goree home for the first run of the inning. Marisa Taunton scored on a wild pitch and Piancastelli scored on another Lion error. The final run of the game came when Catron scored on an error.

In the nightcap, McNeese took an early 2-0 lead in the second before Southeastern La. scored three in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. The Cowgirls tied the game at three all in the fourth on a RBI by Taunton. Southeastern La. retook the lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-3 lead on two hits.

McNeese got a run back in the fifth after Castro led the inning off with a triple to left. After about a 20 minute delay due to an injury to the Lions' left fielder that ran into the wall trying to catch Castro's fly ball, Catron's sacrifice fly to left field allowed Castro to score.
Southeastern La. would give up as they scored in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-4 lead. But the Cowgirls wouldn't give up and they took the lead for good by scoring three runs in each of the final two innings to win the game 10-6.

A two RBI single up the middle by Lauren Langner in the sixth gave tied the game and Catron continued to have a good weekend by doubling to right center to score Langner for the go ahead run that gave McNeese a 7-6 lead.

The final three McNeese runs came in the seventh on RBI by Piancastelli and Vincent and a throwing error.   

McNeese will return home this week to host Louisiana Tech in a single game Wednesday before closing out its home schedule with a Southland Conference series against Lamar on the weekend.