MOBILE, Ala.— After going 0 for 3 in her previous at bats, sophomore Erika Piancastelli launched a solo home run, her 16^th of the season over the left field wall in the eighth inning that proved to be the winning run in McNeese's 2-1 come from behind win over South Alabama here Wednesday.
 
"This week has been so good for us," said head coach Joanna Hardin. "We knew as we approached the game at Southern Miss and South Alabama we would have to stay focused and intent on playing at a high level the entire game for both games."
 
McNeese (24-6) extended its winning streak to eight games and have won 10 of its last 11 games. The Cowgirls will return home this weekend to host Abilene Christian in a three game Southland Conference series beginning with a 5 p.m. doubleheader Friday.
 
"I'm extremely proud of the offense for how they hung with (Devon) Brown tonight," said Hardin. "She threw exceptionally well against us and really kept us off balance. We were fortunate to capitalize when we did."
 
The Cowgirls collected five hits in the game and four were extra base hits including Piancastelli's home run and doubles by Marisa Taunton, Tori Yanitor and Shanice Hagler. Hagler's double in the seventh tied the game at one all. The other hit was a single by Emily Vincent.
 
"Both Yanitor and Hagler kept competing and grinding in their at bats. This entire team just never quits. We truly believe that if we have one pitch, we have a chance," Hardin said.
 
Allred picked up the win in relief to improve to 10-1 on the season. Allred retired all six batters she faced in the final two innings of the game. Vincent, the starter, gave up eight hits, one earned run, one walk and struck out five in six innings.

"Emily and Jamie were a great tandem tonight. They know how to compete and their work over the last three years is showing. Emily worked out of a couple of jams and kept us in the game. Jamie came in and slammed the door."
 
Taunton started the game off with a double. It was first hit given up by South Alabama pitcher Devin Brown in the last 26 innings. Taunton was stranded on second as Brown struck out the next three Cowgirl batters.
 
The Cowgirls left runners in scoring position in the third inning. Taunton drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Morgan Catron was then hit by a pitch and stole second. Both players were stranded after Piancastelli struck out swinging and Taylor Goree struck out looking.
 
South Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning off a one out RBI single by Haleigh Lane. Vincent struck out Dayla Gulledge and got Alex Breeden to ground out to second to end the inning.
 
Vincent held USA scoreless in the sixth after the Jaguars had runners on first and second with no outs. Stephanie Pilkington grounded out to third for the first out, Haliegh Lowe popped up to short and Amanda Minahan grounded out to third for the third out.
 
After Brown retired 10 straight Cowgirls, Yanitor led the seventh inning off with a double. A ground out to second by Vincent moved Yanitor to third. Hagler's double to right center scored Yanitor to tie the game at one apiece. The run is the first run given up by Brown in 37 innings.
 
Allred replaced Vincent in the seventh inning and retired the Jaguars to send the game into extra innings. Allred also retired the Jaguars in the eighth to end the game. Allred got five of the six batters she faced to fly out. The other out was a ground out to second base.
 
After Taunton grounded out to first for the first out in the eight, Piancastelli gave McNeese a 2-1 lead off her home run.
 
"This was a great challenge for our team. I think we needed to have a close game like this to learn to never stop fighting," said Piancastelli. "Yani and Shanice started the whole rally off and are the ones who really changed the game around. They both had clutch hits and helped us stay in the game. Our pitchers did exactly what they needed to do to keep us in the game."
 
Prior to her home run, assistant coach James Landreneau gave Piancastelli a little vote of confidence.
 
"I think that was an amazing thing, just knowing that my coach believes in me and so does the rest of the team. I was ready for every pitch that inning and all I was thinking was- swing at your pitch."
 
The loss snapped South Alabama's (18-11) eight game winning streak. Brown, who threw two one-hitters last week, took the loss to fall to 10-7 on the year.