LAKE CHARLES— McNeese softball overcame a 2-1 deficit in the fifth inning here Tuesday night to pick up a 6-2 win over South Alabama to improve to 9-2 on the year.
The Cowgirls got off to a slow offensive start and couldn't get the timely hits in the first three innings.
McNeese broke a scoreless game in the fourth inning on a squeeze bunt by Gracie DeVall that scored Tayler Strother.
The Jaguars (4-6) took a 2-1 lead the next inning on a solo homerun and a Cowgirl error but the Cowgirl bats came alive in the next two innings and the Cowgirls scored five runs on five hits to take a 6-2 lead.
Haylee Brinlee's double to right centerfield in the fifth inning scored two runs to put the Cowgirls up 3-2. McNeese tacked on three more runs in the sixth behind a leadoff triple by Toni Perrin, a DeVall fielder's choice and a pinch-hit single by Kaylee Lopez to extend the lead to 6-2.
McNeese picked up seven hits including two extra base hits. Lauren Brown led the offense with a 2 for 3 plate appearance while DeVall, Brinlee and Lopez all coming away with two RBI.
The Cowgirls will face UL-Monroe Wednesday night beginning at 6:30 p.m.
 
SCORING
B4- Cowgirls take a 1-0 lead on a squeeze bunt by Gracie DeVall that scored Tayler Strother from third. Strother reached base on a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch then went to third on a ground out by Toni Perrin. McN-1, USA-0
T5- The Jaguars tie the game on a one out solo homerun by Abby Krzywiecki then take the lead on a Cowgirl error. McN-1, USA-2
B5- McNeese takes a 3-2 lead on a double to right center by Haylee Brinlee that scored pinch runner Jil Poullard and Cori McCrary. McN-3, USA 2
B6- Toni Perrin led off with a triple down the left field line then scored on a fielder's choice by DeVall. A pinch hit single to right field by Kaylee Lopez scored two more McN-6, USA-2

COACH LANDRENEAU QUOTES
-We were able to get traffic on the bases and just couldn't get runs in and that was frustrating. At the end of the day Gracie (DeVall) came up with a squeeze to get us on the board. We knew they were a good team and were going to come back and they hit the homerun and an unfortunate play at second with two outs.
-When we went down 2-1, all I asked our players to do was to be tough and grind it out. I'm proud of our team for finding a way to get things going when the momentum switched South Alabama's way.
-We got people on base with two outs and you gotta tip your hat to Haylee Brinlee, she's played great defense, she keeps delivering at the plate and she gets us going. Toni (Perrin) then got a triple and that's what is good to see, people hitting the hard and we started to find the other side of the field with Saldivar and Lopez coming in and getting pinch hits.
-It's a great team win, its great for us to be behind and have to come back to win. After that unfortunate play at second base with Tayler Strother, she wraps up the game with a great defensive play. She lays out in the hole, she gets another play- she played outstanding defense for us. She showed a ton of toughness after that tough unfortunate play at second base.I'm really proud of our team tonight for the way they competed.