LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball took advantage of a few early game miscues by Lamar on its way to a Southland Conference 7-0 series opening win Friday night.  The series will conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
 
McNeese (24-15, 9-1 SLC) scored four runs on three hits aided by two Lamar (23-14, 9-4 SLC) errors to take an early 4-0 lead in the first innings.   The first three Cowgirl runs scored on the two errors with the fourth run coming from a RBI single by Reese Reyna.
 
After three scoreless innings, McNeese tacked on three more runs in the fifth inning on another Lamar error and singles by Samantha Mundine and a pinch-hit single by Kelssey Gaspard to extend its lead to 7-0.
 
While the Cowgirls were providing the offense, pitcher Shaelyn Sanders was dealing in the circle.  Sanders allowed only three hits, walked two and struck out eight in the complete game shutout to improve to 12-7 on the year.
 
McNeese ended the game with seven hits while holding Lamar to three hits. Corine Poncho led the Cowgirls with two hits.  Rylie Bouvier and Alexis Dibbley also picked up a hit in the game.
 
Lamar was led by Trinity Brandon who picked up two or the three Lamar hits.  Emma Wardlaw took the loss, falling to 9-3 on the year.  Wardlaw gave up six runs on seven hits, struck out one and walked three.