AUSTIN, Texas – McNeese softball, short three starters due to Covid protocol, went down 8-4 fighting through seven innings at No. 9/11 Texas Wednesday evening during the first road game of the season.
"We had chances to get out some innings and minimize damage and weren't able to, said head coach James Landreneau.
"The first three innings we were having trouble slowing the game down, then started to settle in but at that point we were chasing runs."
McNeese (5-1) had a slow start to the game as Texas (5-1) took advantage of two first inning miscues and three hits to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Longhorn lead was raised to 5-0 in the second inning as additional Cowgirl errors created an opportunity for Texas to score two more runs.
Kendall Talley was the first Cowgirl to get on base on a two out hit, but a fly ball out closed out the top of the third inning.
A Cowgirl 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the third slowed the Longhorn momentum. A fly to straight to Talley maintained the 5-0 lead as the Cowgirls started to find their rhythm.
The Cowgirl offense increased their intensity in the top of the fourth inning by loading the bases, but a grounded out to third ended the inning.
A wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth allowed Texas to slide home, raising the score to 6-0.
Talley opened the top of the fifth by pulling a walk. Josie Willingham's RBI single was bobbled by the Longhorns, giving Cowgirls an opportunity to score their first run of the game. McNeese continued to chip away at Texas's lead with an RBI by Chloe Gomez scoring Willingham (6-2).
The Longhorns responded with two RBIs to raise their lead to 8-2.
The Cowgirls were resilient, fighting into the seventh with a RBI double by Talley that brought Toni Perrin home. Another Cowgirl run crossed the plate on a fielder's choice by Gomez, but a fly out to right field ended the game 8-4.
Texas's Freshman pitcher Sophia Simpson in her debut gave up two runs on six hits in 4.1 innings.
Ashley Vallejo (2-1) absorbed her first loss of the season giving up six runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings.
"I thought our pitchers did a good job at competing in the zone we just need to make plays behind them."
Gomez led the Cowgirls with two hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base.
"I am proud of our kids for staying in the fight and making adjustments. Our team has a ton of fight in them, we will learn and grow from today."
The Cowgirls will be back in action Friday Feb. 18-19 at the Houston Classic where they will face No. 1 Oklahoma, Houston, and Texas State.
Houston Classic Schedule
Friday Feb 18
12 p.m. vs. Oklahoma
6 p.m. vs. Houston
Saturday Feb 19
10 a.m. vs. Texas State
12:20 p.m. Oklahoma
