HOUSTON, Texas— Freshman Alexsandra Flores threw a two-hitter and the Cowgirls picked up seven hits in a 1-0 midweek win over Houston her Wednesday night to improve to 23-11 overall.
 
Flores (8-2) picked up her second shutout of the season while striking out five along the way. She gave up only two walks in the game and didn't allow the Cougars past second base.
 
Taylor Schmidt led the Cowgirls with two hits with one being a double for the only extra base hit of the game. Justyce McClain, Erika Piancastelli, Alexandria Saldivar, Baylee Corbello and
Tori Yanitor all picked up one hit apiece.
 
McNeese took advantage of good base running and timely hitting early in the game to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Justyce McClain drew a one out walk, stole second and scored on a RBI single up the middle by Alexandria Saldivar.
 
The Cowgirls missed an opportunity to score more runs in the second inning when McNeese had two runners in scoring position with no outs. Tori Yanitor led the inning off with a single to left followed by a double to right field by Taylor Schmidt. A pop fly followed by two strikeouts squandered the threat to score.
 
McNeese stranded its third runner on base with no outs in the top of the third after Erika Piancastelli singled up the middle and stole second but for the second straight inning the Cowgirls left at least one runner stranded.
 
Flores retired the first 11 batters she faced before giving up her first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth. A bloop single by Sara Barker between third base and left field. Shelby Miller grounded out to second baseman JaMaiya Miller for the third out.
 
Flores struggled with her control a little in the fifth and gave up her first two walks of the game but struck out Mariah Garcia to end the inning.
 
Houston put the tying run on base with a leadoff single to right by Shelby Miller. A sac bunt by Maya Thomas moved pinch runner De'Zha Scott to second base. Flores got Thomas to ground out to third, struck out Heebner before Brooke Vannoy pop out to third to end the game.
 
McNeese will return home this weekend to host Northwestern State in a three game Southland Conference series beginning with a single game Friday beginning at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. All games can be heard on the McNeese Radio Network (1310 KEZM) or on kezmonline.com.