CONWAY, Ark.— McNeese softball didn't waste any time scoring in its 9-1, run-rule win over Sam Houston State here Wednesday evening in its opening game of the Southland Conference Tournament. The Cowgirls advance to Thursday's 3 p.m. semifinal game against second seed Nicholls.
 
"Anytime you get a win in this tournament it feels good," said head coach James Landreneau. Landreneau in his first season as head coach picks up his first Southland Conference win tonight.
 
The Cowgirls came out aggressive and played good clean ball, committing only one error and ending the game with 11 hits. McNeese put the leadoff runner on base in the first three innings and four out of the five innings played.
 
"I thought our girls did a great job of laying off some pitches and forcing to put ball in play with timely hitting right behind. We came right off the bat and scored early and put a lot of stress on them in the first inning. 
 
McNeese opened the game by taking a 5-0 lead in the first inning on three hits. A Morgan Catron two RBI down the left field line got the Cowgirls on the board. Two batters later, Tori Yanitor's two RBI single to center put the Cowgirls up 4-0. Following a double steal, Aubree Turbeville's sacrifice fly brought Yanitor home for a 5-0 lead.
 
Justyce McClain led the game off with a bunt single to set a new McNeese hitting streak record. McClain has now hit safely in the last 19 games.
 
"Getting our leadoff on base several times put pressure on them and it definitely paid off tonight," Landreneau said.
 
The Cowgirls extended their lead to 7-0 in the second  inning with two more runs, both runs involving Piancastelli. With her RBI double down the left field line that scored Catron, Piancastelli became the McNeese career RBI leader with 148. Piancastelli also gave the Cowgirls a 7-0 lead by stealing home.
 
The Cowgirls tacked on one run in the third for an 8-0 leas and missed an opportunity to score a few more after leaving the bases loaded. Carleigh Chaumont's single scored Taylor Schmidt. Schmidt reached base on a fielder's choice.
 
Chaumont struck again in the fifth with a double to left field that sent pinch hitter Baylee Corbello to third. The speedy McClain hit a grounder to third and forced a throwing error to score Corbello for the game winning run.
 
McNeese took advantage of 11 hits in the game, with five being doubles. Piancastelli, Yanitor, Schmidt and Chaumont all collected doubles. McClain, Yanitor and Chaumont all led the Cowgirls with two hits apiece while Yanitor and Catron led with two RBI apiece.
 
Rachel Smith improved to 16-7 on the season with the complete game. Smith gave up one earned run on five hits, struck out three and didn't allow a walk.
 
Sam Houston State used three pitchers and chase starter Lindsey MCleod from the game after 1 1/3 innings after giving up seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks.