LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball completed its Southland Conference sweep over Incarnate Word Saturday by defeating the Cardinals 6-5 and 8-6 in a doubleheader to improve to 23-13 overall and 7-5 in the SLC.  The losses drop UIW to 22-13 overall and 7-5 in the SLC.

The Cowgirls combined to score 14 runs on 13 hits, 14 RBI and took advantage of 16 walks on Saturday.

The series was much needed as the Cowgirls had lost six of its last seven including five straight before this weekend.

McNeese trailed early in every game, falling behind by at least one run in the first inning from Victoria Altamirano- who led all three games off with solo homeruns to give the Cardinals the early lead in all three games.  Altamirano ended her stellar weekend with five hits, all homeruns and six RBI.

The Cowgirls didn't let the early leads bother them as they fought their way back in all three games to pick up the wins.

UIW took the early lead again in both games today due in part from Altamirano- who led both games off with solo homeruns.

McNeese scored two runs in the second inning to lead 2-1 but were held scoreless for the next four innings while UIW scored single run in the fifth and seventh and two in the six to lead 5-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

The Cowgirls scored four runs on three hits and one UIW error in the bottom of the seventh including a pinch hit walk off single to right field by Malayna Daigle to end the game.

Kadence Williams improved to 2-0 on the season with the win in relief.

In the series finale, the game started just like the previous two- with a solo homerun by Altamirano for the early UIW lead. Altamirano struck again in the third inning with a two-run homerun to put the Cardinals up 3-0.

McNeese loaded the bases with out on three straight walks before Alexis Dibbley's sacrifice fly scored Corine Poncho for the first McNeese run of the game.  The Cowgirls stranded the baserunners, missing an opportunity to score more runs in the inning.

The Cowgirls tied the game at three apiece in the fourth by scoring two runs via walks by UIW's pitcher.  After Maddie Taylor and Meiko Dominguez recorded the first two outs, UIW's pitchers walked the next five Cowgirl batters, allowing two runs to score to tie the game at three all.
The Cardinals broke the tie with a run in the fifth on a ground out to lead 4-3.

McNeese stayed the course and struck back by scoring five runs on four hits to lead 8-4. Maddie Weeks singled with the bases loaded that scored Rylee Cloud then Kassidy Chance cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to right center for the 7-4 lead. Chance came home to score on a fielder's choice to put the Cowgirls up 8-4.

UIW added two more runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-6. 

After the Cowgirls went down in order in the 6^th, Chapman intentionally walked Altamirano to lead off the seventh but was thrown out a second on a fielder's choice.  Chapman got Bryanna Fuentes to hit a line drive back at her in the circle and she tossed the ball to first to get the runner out at first to end the game with a double play.

Chapman improved to 5-4 with the complete game win, allowing six runs on seven hits, four strikeouts and three walks.

UIW used a combined four pitchers who allowed eight runs on five hits, 11 walks and two strikeouts.