LAKE CHARLES – Following a 3-2 warm up win over Tarleton State, McNeese softball found its rhythm and clinched the series with an 8-1 victory in the nightcap Saturday at Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond. 

"I was excited that the players were locked in and ready to compete today. It was a total team effort, so I'm very proud of our players and coaching staff," said head coach James Landreneau. "As the games progressed the team relaxed a bit and just focused on competing rather than doing too much. It's about them having confidence and trusting their ability. This season is a marathon, not a sprint. If we can learn from the mistakes we made, then we have a chance of being a really good team down the road."  

Game One 

Tarleton (14-6) and McNeese (10-8) battled through four innings exchanging runs. A sacrifice fly by Jil Poullard that scored Alayis Seneca in the sixth inning gave the Cowgirls the lead they needed to defeat the Texans 3-2.  

Key Moments: 

First Inning 

• The Texans took advantage of a Cowgirl error to take a 1-0 lead on a RBI single to center  

• Two Texan errors gave Poullard the opportunity to make it home after stealing second and then scored on two throwing errors to tie the game 1-1 

Fourth inning 

• Georgia Capell's leadoff solo home put the Texas back on top 2-1 

• Pollard's leadoff solo home run in the bottom of the inning tied the game once again at 2-2   

Sixth Inning: 

• A sacrifice fly by Poullard gave Seneca time to run home from third base in what would prove to be the game winning run in the 3-2 victory 

Game Notes: 

• Pitcher Whitney Tate (2-4) left the circle with the win, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts  

• Poullard led the Cowgirls offensively with two runs and two RBIs including a home run 

• McNeese had two doubles while Tarleton had none 

• Both teams had two RBIs and one stolen base 

• Tarleton left six on base while McNeese left three  

Game Two 

Patience at the plate set the Cowgirls up for success during the second game of the day. Scoring six runs within the first three innings created a five run Cowgirl lead the Texans were not able to match in the remaining four innings.  

Key Moments: 

First Inning 

• With bases loaded, a wild pitch allowed Seneca to score  

• An RBI by Kaylee Lopez tacked on another run 

• A second consecutive RBI single by Reese Reyna raised the Cowgirl lead to three runs 

Second Inning 

• Josie Willingham added an RBI single scoring Seneca for her second run of the game 

Third Inning 

• With bases loaded, Tarleton scored off an RBI single for their first run of the game (4-1) 

• The Cowgirls responded with two RBIs of their own to take a 6-1 lead 

Fifth Inning: 

• A two RBI pinch hit single by Crislyne Moreno raised the Cowgirl lead to 8-1 

Game Notes: 

• Winning pitcher Ashley Vallejo (5-4) allowed two hits and struck out five in 4.2 innings of relief of starter Shaelyn Sanders

• Sanders allowed one run off seven hits in 2.1 innings 

• Moreno led the team with two RBIs 

• Seneca and Toni Perrin led with two runs while picking up one hit apiece 

• McNeese stole three bases while Tarleton stole none  

• The Cowgirls drew five walks   

Next Game: 

The Cowgirls will travel to No. 20 UL-Lafayette on Wednesday March 9. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.