LAKE CHARLES – McNeese softball head coach
James Landreneau placed his name at the top of the Cowgirl record book as the winningest coach in program history after the Cowgirls defeated Missouri State 17-9 in the first game of the day in the I-10 Border Classic on Saturday, then added to that record with an 8-1 nightcap win over Southland Conference rival Nicholls.
With the two wins, Landreneau has amassed 304 career wins in his ninth year as head coach. He passed Scott Eastman who recorded 302 victories from 1993-2004.
"First, I have to acknowledge Scott Eastman," said Landreneau. "It's an honor to be in this situation. Scott did it the hard way. He got was able to do it with different facilities, and this is really the fruit of his hard labor. I just want to acknowledge him. He did a lot for this program and our university.
"With that being said, this is a testament to the players I've coached. I've been blessed by great players and a great coaching staff over the years. And of course our administration that has allowed me to be in this position. I get to share that moment in name but it's because of so many people and so many great things that have put me in that situation. It was earned by many other people and I just want to acknowledge that."
The Cowgirls (6-4) wasted little time to put their coach on track for the record victory against Missouri State when they plated 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning. It was 15-5 after three and McNeese win it by run-rule when it plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to complete the win.
McNeese put 16 hits in the books with five Cowgirls popping two or more.
Samantha Mundine had a 3-for-4 game with an RBI and three runs scored. Jada Munoz,
Reese Reyna,
Brylie Fontenot and
Kassidy Chance each had two hits.
The nightcap was a dual through three innings and the score tied 1-1, but in the fourth, the Cowgirls opened up the gates with five runs on three hits and two errors.
Onna McElroy had the big blast with a two-run home run that made it a 5-1 game. She finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs and two run scored.
McElroy came up big once again in the fifth with a two-run, two-out single to put McNeese up 8-1.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher
Kadence Williams was cruising through the game as she pitched six innings and allowed just the one run on five hits, two strike outs and no walks while notching her first win on the year.
McNeese will close out I-10 Border Classic play on Sunday when it hosts Tulsa at noon.
