LAKE CHARLES – Timely hitting, aggressive defense, and a grand slam by Crislyne Moreno was instrumental in McNeese's doubleheader win over Southeastern here Saturday to claim the series 2-1. The Cowgirls took the opening game by a 4-0 score then won the rubber game 9-3 to clinch the series.
Saturday's wins improved McNeese's record to 24-15 overall and 8-1 in the Southland Conference while SLU fell to 26-12 overall and 4-2 in the SLC.
"We put together some good at bats, had some timely hitting, pressure throughout the lineup, and did some damage with two outs," said head coach James Landreneau. "All weekend I thought we played good defense aside from one miscue today. It was good to see our team play the way they are capable of playing. The focus and energy was there, and we are a pretty good team when we can put it all together."
Game One
Alayis Seneca and Kendall Talley drew back-to-back walks putting runners on first and second as Kaylee Lopez stepped up to the plate. Lopez hit a two RBI double, giving the Cowgirls the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the third inning.
The scoring resumed in the fifth inning with a Talley solo homer to right center for a 3-0 McNeese lead. Reese Reyna's first career home run provided the final run of the game in the sixth inning as the Cowgirls moved out to a 4-0 lead. The Lady Lions were able to get a runner on base, but pitcher Ashley Vallejo and the Cowgirl defense prevented SLU from scoring as Vallejo got a strike out and ground out to end the game.
Key Moments
Third Inning
Fifth Inning
Sixth Inning
Game Notes
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Vallejo was masterful in the circle, picking up her third shutout of the season along with eight strikeouts and four hits in the complete game win.
• Reyna hit her first career home run and led the Cowgirls at the plate, going 3 for 3 including her first career home run, one run, and one RBI
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Talley scored two runs including a solo home run, her third of the year
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The Cowgirls outhit the Lady lLions 7-4
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SLU left five base runners stranded while McNeese left three
Game Two
The Cowgirls opened the game hot with an RBI single by Poullard to score Seneca in the first inning. Following a bunt single by Lopez that loaded the bases, Freshman Crislyne Moreno hit her first career grand slam to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Lady Lions slowly chipped away at the Cowgirls' lead with a solo home run in the second inning and an RBI single in the third to pull to within three runs at 5-2.
The Cowgirls were set up for success when Josie Willingham tripled and Toni Perrin drew a walk in the fourth inning. With Seneca at the plate, Perrin stole second to move into scoring position. Seneca singled to third base, scoring both Willingham and Perrin to give the Cowgirls a five-run advantage. McNeese added another run on a Lopez RBI single which scored Seneca closed the inning with an 8-2 lead.
In the top of the fifth, the Lady Lions scratched a run with an inside park homer by Cam Goodman due to a miscommunication between left fielder Talley and centerfielder Perrin. (8-3).
McNeese responded with a leadoff triple to right field by Toni Perrin then a throwing error in an attempt to get Perrin out at third allowed Perrin to score for a 9-3 lead.
Key Moments
First Inning
Second Inning
Third Inning
Fourth Inning
Fifth Inning
Game Notes
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Whitney Tate evened her overall record to 7-7 on the year with the complete game victory. Tate allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two
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Talley led the Cowgirls with two hits
• Seneca led the Cowgirls with two RBI and two runs scored
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Moreno hit her first career grand slam
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Seven Cowgirls scored at least one run
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McNeese had eight hits including three extra base hits while Southeastern had four hits including two home runs
