Tournament Bracket

CONWAY, Ark.—McNeese softball advanced to its second straight Southland Conference Tournament Championship game after picking up its second straight run-rule victory of the tournament in its 11-2, six inning win over Nicholls Thursday.
 
"I think our kids came out once again and had quality at bats and capitalize on a few Nicholls errors," said head coach James Landreneau. "We stayed the course and put pressure on them and obviously the sixth inning was a big inning for us and we took advantage of their mistakes."
 
The Championship game has been moved back to a 4 p.m. start due to anticipated inclement weather that postponed Thursday's 5:30 p.m. to be moved for an 11 a.m. start Friday morning.
 
The championship round will be an exclusive presentation of ESPN3, which can be viewed via WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app with Mycoskie and former Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Kati Morse on the call.
 
The game can also be heard on the McNeese Radio Network (KEZM 1310 AM) and live stats will be available as well. All links can be found on the softball schedule page on mcneesesports.com.
 
McNeese (41-16) got off to another quick start for the second straight game by taking a 4-1 lead after two innings then busting the game open by scoring seven runs in the sixth. Its' also the second game of the tournament the Cowgirls pick up 10 or more hits with 10 today after picking up 11 in its 9-1, 5 inning run-rule win over Sam Houston State.
 
McClain led the Cowgirl hitting attack with three hits and both Piancastelli and Drew had three RBI apiece. Piancastelli picked up two of her three RBI from her 12^th home run of the season in the second inning. Two of Drew's RBI came in the first inning to score the first two Cowgirl runs.
 
McClain got thing started in the first inning with a leadoff bunt single to extend her hitting streak to 20 games. Back to back walks to Catron and Piancastelli loads the bases. McNeese scored its fist two runs of the game on Drew's double off the left field wall.
 
Cowgirls missed a chance to add more runs in the inning by leaving the bases loaded with one out after Schmidt, who fouled off several pitches popped out to shortstop. Corbello popped out to the catcher to end the top half of the first.
 
McNeese increased its lead to 4-1 in the second on a two run home run over the left field by Piancastelli on a no doubter once it left her bat. That chased Nicholls starter Megan Landry from the game who was then replaced by Jackie Johnson.
 
Corbello continue cruising in the second inning by getting Nicholls to go down in order on six pitches. She went on to retire seven straight before giving up her second hit of the game, a double down the right field line.
 
The senior picked up her 11^th win of the season to improve to 11-3 overall and is still has not lost a game against a conference opponent. Corbello gave up one earned run, five hits, two walks and struck out four in five innings. Freshman Alexsandra Flores came in the fame for the final frame and faced four batters.
 
"I though Baylee did and excellent job today. She got out of a couple jams and pitched with confidence and didn't give into hitters at all. Baylee is a great competitor and its fun to get her out there and our defense has total confidence when she is in the circle," Landreneau said.
 
Nicholls cut the lead in half in the fourth inning by scoring a run when Kimmie Rodriguez attempted to steal second and slid into shortstop Drew, Drew was knocked to the ground allowing Elexus Trenkle to score for a 4-2 lead.
 
Johnson got into a groove and the Cowgirls were held hitless for hitless for three innings before breaking the game open in the sixth by scoring seven runs on five hits and four Nicholls errors.
Landry took the loss to fall to 15-8 on the year. She gave up four earned runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Johnson gave up seven runs, two earned on four hits, struck out four and walked three.
 
"Jackie is such a good pitcher, we knew that if they went to her. We were able to put together some good at bats late in the game," said Landreneau.