LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball used the long ball here Sunday to defeat Alabama-Birmingham 4-2 on the final day of the Cowgirl Classic 1.  McNeese ends opening weekend with a 4-1 record.
 
UAB jumped on the Cowgirls early by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.  McNeese responded by tying the game two apiece on a two-run home run by Crislyne Moreno that marked the first Cowgirl home run of the season.
 
The scored remained tied until the third inning when Emily Phillips sent a 3-1 pitch over the left centerfield wall to give the Cowgirls a 4-2 lead.  The home run is Phillips first of the season.
 
Whitney Tate, who got off to a rocky start settled in and once the Cowgirls took the lead in the third, Tate retired next eight batters she faced before giving up a leadoff hit in the seventh.
 
UAB (2-3) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning but a fly ball to Cowgirl left fielder Erin Ardoin resulted in a double play to end the game.  Following Ardoin's catch, there was a little bit of confusion as she got the ball back in the infield and the ball was thrown to second base and that runner was called out for leaving early before tagging up to go to third to end the game.
 
Tate (2-0) picked up her second win of the weekend while Ashley Vallejo picked up the save in relief.
 
McNeese collected six hits with two extra base hits all coming from Moreno and Phillips.  Both players ended the day with two RBI apiece.
 
The Cowgirls will travel to Celina, Texas this weekend to take part in the Tracy Beard College Classic hosted by North Texas.  McNeese will open tournament play against Kentucky on Friday.  The Cowgirls will also play South Dakota, UT-Arlington, and North Texas.
 
McNeese's next home game will be Monday, Feb. 20 against Washington.