LAKE CHARLES--  McNeese softball opened its Southland Conference series against Stephen F. Austin with a 9-1, five inning run-rule victory here Thursday night to improve to 34-16 overall and 19-3 in the Southland Conference.
 
The series will conclude with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 3 p.m. The second game of the doubleheader will broadcast on the McNeese Radio Network (KEZM 1310 AM) and kezmonline.com. Lives streaming and live stats will also be available.
 
Seniors Marisa Taunton, Taylor Schmidt, Rachel Smith, Tori Yanitor and Baylee Corbello will be honored at the conclusion of the doubleheader.
 
Stephen F. Austin (17-28, 9-10 SLC) got off to a quick start by scoring a run in the opening frame. Smith got off to a rocky start by giving up a hit to three of the first four Ladyjack batters. Kiriany Hornberger started the game off with a double down the right field line. Following a sacrifice bunt, Brittany Lewis and Amber Landry both singled and Hornberger scored the only run for SFA.
 
"They came out ready to play in the first inning then our kids rebounded. Rachel settled into the game as we moved forward and I thought we put together some really good at bats and some timely hitting," said head coach James Landreneau.
 
McNeese countered with three runs in the bottom of the first frame to take a 3-1 lead. A two RBI single by Alexandria Saldivar gave the Cowgirls the lead then a single by Carleigh Chaumont added the third run of the inning.
 
Once Smith watched the offense regain the lead, she came back out in the circle and settled down to shutout SFA in the next four innings and gave up only one other hit that being a single in the fourth.
 
"Rachel settled down and had good command and a good defense behind her. She was probably amped up in the first inning," Landreneau said.
 
The Cowgirls broke the game open in the third inning by scoring five runs on five hits and batted around. Saldivar led things off with a single followed by a double to left center by Schmidt.  Megan Holmes picked up an RBI single before chasing SFA starter Callee Guffey from the circle. The pitching change didn't affect the Cowgirl hitters as Smith helped her cause with a RBI single and Justyce McClain hit a two RBI single down the left field line to extend the Cowgirl lead to 8-1. Guffey (9-10) took the loss for SFA after giving up seven runs on six hits in two innings.
 
"It's a good feeling doing it for my team. I love my teammates and I will do anything for them. That performance was solely for them. Whether I'm in the background or in the game, my job is to do what I have to do for my teammates," said Holmes.
 
After SFA left Katie Clark stranded on first in the fourth, Holmes gave the Cowgirls their ninth run of the game on a solo home run to left field for her third of the season.
 
Smith ended her night by retiring the Ladyjacks in order in the fifth to pick up her 13^th win of the season to improve to 13-6 overall and improve to 9-1 in conference play. Smith ended the game with three strikeouts and walked only one batter.
 
Holmes in her 11^th start of the season ended the game with her third home run of the season, one single, two RBI and scored two runs.
 
"I'm just happy to see Megan get that kind of performance. She shows up every day and works her tail off and its a living example of work while you wait. When she gets an opportunity to get some good results its rewarding and I'm happy for her and our team as well."
 
McClain and Alexandria Saldivar also had two hits and two RBI apiece. Schmidt also scored two runs apiece.