LAKE CHARLES--  McNeese softball sent seniors Lauren Langner and Bianca Lilly out on a good note on senior day by taking a Southland Conference doubleheader from Lamar 6-1 and 5-4 (8 inn.) to complete the series sweep. McNeese opened the series Friday with a 10-7 win.
 
"I'm so proud of how the girls fought throughout the weekend," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "Each game was tough and they never backed down. Every game it was someone else coming up with a big hit or a big play on defense. All 23 girls are contributing in ever game. This weekend was a TEAM weekend for sure," said Hardin.
 
Langner and Lilly did their part in their own ways that contributed to the wins on Sunday. The two were honored following the doubleheader.
 
"I will never forget this senior day. Both Lauren and Bianca really went out on top. Bianca pitched with such poise and guts today. She took the team on her shoulders and competed every out. She has worked so hard this season and I'm so excited she was able to get the win. She deserved it," Hardin said.
 
Langner picked up a hit, scored two runs and knocked in one run on the day. Lilly picked up the complete game victory in game two to complete the series sweep. Lilly gave up four runs on five hits, walked two and tied her career high with five strikeouts.
 
McNeese (33-18, 18-5 SLC) began the day just like Friday, scoring early in the opening game with three runs in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Langner's RBI up the middle scored Erika Piancastelli for the first run of the game. Langner and Taylor Schmidt came home on a double by Bryanna Castro.
 
Lamar (22-23, 12-9 SLC) scored their only run of the game in the second inning on a RBI single by Marissa LeJune. After two scoreless innings, McNeese tacked on three more runs in the fourth on two hits and one Lamar error. A bases loaded sacrifice fly by Emily Vincent brought pinch runner Dakota Matiko home for a 4-0 Cowgirl lead. Morgan Catron's doubled to left center scored Piancastelli and Rachel Smith for the 6-0 lead.
 
McNeese collected seven hits in the game including doubles by Catron and Castro. Piancastelli led the Cowgirls at the plate with two hits and scored two runs.
 
Smith improved to 11-5 on the year with the complete game victory. The sophomore gave up one run on six hits and struck out five.
 
McNeese also took the early lead in the nightcap by taking a 1-0 lead in the first on a Lamar error.
 
Lamar scored three runs on three hits and one Cowgirl error in the second to take a 3-1 lead. McNeese cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning when Schmidt scored on a ground out to short by Hailey Drew. Piancastelli stole home in the third to tie the game at three all.
 
Lamar retook the lead 4-3 in the fourth but the Cowgirls came right back to tie the game again in the bottom of the inning. Langner was hit by a pitch, went to second on a ground out before coming home on a single by Tori Yanitor.
 
Neither team was able to send another runner across the plate in the next three innings, sending the game into the eighth inning.
 
Lilly retired Lamar in order in the top of the eighth on two grounders and a fly out to left field, setting the stage for the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
 
Catron led things off for the Cowgirls with a double to right center and represented the game-winning run. With Langner at the plate and no outs, Catron stole third. Lamar's catcher attempted to throw out Catron who had taken a lead after a pitch but the throw was errant and Catron came home to end the game.
 
McNeese collected six hits in the nightcap and was led with two apiece by Piancastelli and Schmidt.
 
McNeese will conclude the regular season with a three game series at Central Arkansas this weekend before taking part in the Southland Conference Tournament in Natchitoches May 6-8.