LAKE CHARLES—Behind a career high five RBI game from freshman Bella Perez, McNeese softball opened its Southland Conference series with an 8-0 (run-rule) win over Houston Christian Friday night. 
 
Saturday's doubleheader has been moved to a 12 p.m. start instead of the original 1 p.m. start due to the threat of rain.
 
McNeese (31-15, 15-1 SLC) scored three runs in the opening frame on two hits and took advantage of two Husky errors. 
 
Rylie Bouvier scored the first Cowgirl run of the game after reaching base on an error.  Two more runs crossed the plate on Perez's first two RBI of the game to give the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead.
 
Two more runs in the third on another Perez RBI and a RBI triple by Reese Reyna pushed the Cowgirl lead to 5-0.
 
The Cowgirls ended the game with three more runs in the fifth inning on a Perez double that scored two more runs before Reyna singled to left center to bring home pinch runner Chloe Gomez for the game winning run.
 
Perez ended her day going 3 for 3 at the plate with a double, five RBI and scored one run.  Reyna was 2 for 3 with two BRI and Alexis Dibbley was also 2 for 3 at the plate with one run scored.  McNeese pounded out 11 hits.
 
Shaelyn Sanders held the Huskies to five hits in the complete game shutout win to improve to 15-7 overall.  The shutout is her sixth of the season.  Sanders allowed five hits, one walk, struck out five.
 
Ronni Grofman suffered the loss, falling to 5-9 on the season.  Grofman tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowed 11 hits, eight runs (five earned).