NATCHITOCHES— McNeese softball suffered its first Southland Conference Tournament loss since 2015 with a 4-3 setback at the hands of Northwestern State in the second round here Tuesday night.
 
McNeese will face the loser of the 9 a.m. game between Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. Wednesday in an elimination game.
 
Wednesday's schedule has been altered and all game times have been moved up two hours due to anticipated rain in Natchitoches. Games will begin at 9 a.m.
 
The Cowgirls (28-29) defense got off to a rocky start, committing two errors in the second inning that aided in the first Northwestern State run but the Cowgirls came back and scored a run in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead.
 
Northwestern State (30-25) rallied to score a run in the third to tie the game a second time at two apiece.
 
After a scoreless fourth inning, a double by Kaylee Lopez gave McNeese a 3-2 lead and the Cowgirls missed a chance to add a few more runs when Lopez was stranded on third and Cori McCrary was left on second with two outs.
 
Cowgirl starter junior Alexsandra Flores, who had given up only four hits and two runs through the first five innings, struggled in the sixth. Flores gave up three hits and two runs in sixth that gave NW State the 4-3 lead. She was replaced by Caroline Settle who threw the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit and struck out one. Flores falls to 12-12 on the year with the loss.
 
McNeese entered the bottom of the seventh with the top of the order coming up. Justyce McClain laid down a good bunt but the throw beat her to the bag. Lopez, who was 2 for 4 grounded out to second for the second out and Aubree Turbeville struck out swinging to end the game.
 
The Cowgirls ended the game with seven hits and were led with two apiece from Lopez and McCrary.
 

SCORING:
B1- McNeese took the early lead in the bottom of the inning on a two out sacrifice fly to left field by Demi Boudreaux that brought Justyce McClain home. McClain led the inning off with a walk and advanced to third on a single to right center by Kaylee Lopez. McN 1, NW St. 0
 
T2- Northwestern State tied the game up by taking advantage of a Cowgirl error and a wild pitch. McN 1, NW St. 1
 
B2- McNeese took the lead on a double off the left field line that scored Sara Geier. Geier reached base on a single through the left side. McN 2, NW St. 1
 
T3: The Demons tied the game again on a when Elise Vincent tripled down the left field line then scored on a single by Cayla Jones. McN 2, NW St. 2
 
B5: Cowgirls retake the lead when Justyce McClain reached on a bunt single, went all the way to third on a wild pitch and scored on a double to left by Kaylee Lopez.
 
T6: After getting the first out, Alex Flores hit the next batter then walked the next before giving up three straight singles and a run that gave NW State the lead. Flores was replaced by Caroline Settle who got the Cowgirls out of a one out bases loaded jam by getting a ground out and struck out Cayla Jones looking to limit the damage. NW St. 4, McN 3 
 
 
NOTES:

• McNeese collected seven hits
• Kaylee Lopez and Cori McCrary both had two hits apiece
• Lopez and Alexandria Saldivar had the only extra base hits for McNeese, both collecting one double apiece.
• McNeese committed three errors
• It's the first SLC Tournament loss for McNeese since 2015
• McNeese is now 10-1 in the SLC Tournament since 2015