CONWAY, Ark.—McNeese softball headed into its doubleheader at Central Arkansas Saturday knowing that the regular season title had been clinched by Northwestern State Friday but an important Southland Conference Tournament no. 2 seed and a first round bye was still up for grabs.
 
"We played well in every phase of the game today," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "Our defense played clean and made plays all day. Our pitching staff threw very well, we ran the bases well, and our offense stuck with the game plan and had great success. Everyone is contributing in every game and our energy and enthusiasm is great," said Hardin.
 
The Cowgirls clinched the second seed and earned a first round bye in next week's Southland Conference Tournament with a 5-1 and a 13-2, five-inning doubleheader win over UCA.
 
"Its such and honor to be part of this day," Hardin said. "Lauren breaking the career hits record is such a special piece of McNeese softball history. I'm so proud and thankful to be part of it with her and this team."
 
The day was highlighted by senior Lauren Langner, who became McNeese's career hits leader in game two. Langner was 6 for 8 on the day including a 4 for 4-plate appearance in the second game. Her record setting career 228^th hit came in the third inning when she singled to short and beat the throw. Langner broke the record of 227 previously set by Claire Terracina who ironically was also an outfielder for the Cowgirls from 2009-2012.
 
Rachel Smith improved to 12-5 on the season with the game one victory. Smith came close to picking up her second career no-hitter but it was spoiled by a UCA single in the sixth inning. Smith ended the game with six strikeouts and six walks.
 
Tori Yanitor's solo home run in the top of seventh inning game one broke a 1-1 tie that gave McNeese a 2-1 lead. The long ball is her third of the season and it kick started the Cowgirls' four run inning to seal the win.  Yanitor had a good day at the plate, going 4 for 5 with three doubles and one home run. She collected 5 RBI on the day and scored three runs.
 
Smith helped her cause with a single to shortstop then was replaced by pinch runner Marisa Taunton. Taunton moved into scoring position on a stolen base and scored on a double to left center by Hailey Drew. Erika Piancastelli was intentionally walked. A sacrifice by Emily Vincent brought Drew home and a double by Morgan Catron scored Piancastelli.
 
After UCA took an early 1-0 lead in the nightcap, the Cowgirls scored six runs in the second on six hits including doubles by Yanitor and Piancastelli.  McNeese blew the game open with five more runs in the third to extend its lead to 11-1. McNeese knocked around five hits and Yanitor and Piancastelli did most of the damage. Yanitor's second double of the game and third of the day scored Bryanna Castro and Taylor Schmidt. Piancastelli tripled to right to score Drew for the 11-1 McNeese lead.  Two more runs in the fourth inning off a solo home run by Morgan Catron and a RBI fielder's choice by Dakota Matiko gave McNeese a 13-2 lead.
 
Senior pitcher Bianca Lilly relieved Vincent in the fifth and calmly struck out Brianna McArthur to end the game.
 
Vincent improved to 13-5 on the year with the win. Vincent gave up two hits, struck out three and walked two in four innings of work.
 
McNeese collected 25 hits on the day including 10 against one of the league's top pitchers in Studioso in the first game. The Cowgirls pounded out 15 hits in the second game against two UCA pitchers.
 
"UCA is a good ball club so they are going to come out tomorrow and compete. We know it's going to be a dog fight for seven innings and look forward to a good challenge," said Hardin.