COLLEGE STATION, Texas—McNeese softball let its early lead slip away at 6
th ranked Texas A&M here Wednesday night in a 10-3 loss. The Cowgirls return to Southland Conference action this weekend for a three-game series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beginning with a doubleheader Friday afternoon.
McNeese (25-13) came out aggressive at the plate and scored two runs in the second inning and one in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead.
Alexandria Saldivar scored the first run of the game on an error then Taylor Smith drew a bases loaded walk to give McNeese a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
The Cowgirls added a single run in the third inning on a Saldivar single to center that scored
Erika Piancastelli.
Cowgirl starter
Baylee Corbello struggled in the bottom of the third, giving up a lead off walk, a wild pitch before Keeli Milligan reached on a fielder's choice. The Aggies (32-3) tied the game on a three run homerun over the left field wall by Tori Vidales. TAMU scored three more runs for a six run third inning to take a 6-3 lead. TAMU took a 4-3 lead on a single then scored their fifth run on a Cowgirl error. The final run of the inning came off a sacrifice fly.
The Aggies broke the game open with four more runs in the fourth on two hits to take a 10-3 lead. Four of the first seven A&M runs scored in the game reached base on walks. The Cowgirl pitchers allowed a combined nine walks in the game.
The Cowgirls missed chances to tack on runs, leaving the bases loaded in the second, third and fourth innings and ending the game with nine runners stranded on base.
McNeese picked up seven hits off two Aggie pitchers.
Hailey Drew and Corbello picked up two hits apiece. TAMU picked up nine hits off three Cowgirl pitchers. Corbello took the loss to fall to 5-3 on the year. Corbello gave up five earned runs on two hits and walked three in 2 1/3 innings.
Rachel Smith, the Cowgirls first reliever gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits, three walks and struck out one in one inning of work.
Alexsandra Flores ended the game in the circle without allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings. Flores gave up two hits, three walks and struck out one.
Aggie reliever Trinity Harrington picked up the win to improve to 10-1 on the year. Harrington didn't allow a run, gave up one hit, one walk and struck out two in 3 2/3 innings. McNeese scored all three earned runs against starter Lexi Smith who entered the game with a perfect 9-0 record and a 1.17 ERA. Smith gave up six hits, walked four and struck out two.
