Chloe Bennett no-hitter highlights LSUE’s softball sweep of Alvin to open season

EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice freshman Chloe Bennett tossed a no-hitter in her Bengal debut as LSUE made a splash to open the season with a doubleheader sweep of Alvin CC on Tuesday at Lady Bengal Field. The Rosepine became the first pitcher in LSUE history to hold a team hitless in their Bengal debut.

Bennett’s no-hitter was also the first for LSU Eunice since Jensen Howell’s against Baton Rouge CC on April 17, 2019.

LSUE won its season opener 8-0 and came from behind in the finale, 6-3.

Maci Baldwin led the Bengals offensively during the doubleheader, collecting a team-high three RBIs and scoring twice.

The Bengals hit the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders in Texas. LSUE will face San Jacinto College on Saturday, followed by a twinbill against McLennan CC. Both the Coyotes and Highlasses are ranked in the preseason Division I NJCAA poll.

Game 1 vs. Alvin CC – W, 8-0 (Five Innings)

Chloe Bennett dominated Alvin CC from start to finish as the freshman went the distance in a 8-0 mercy rule win, collecting a no-hitter in her collegiate debut.

Bennett struck out ten batters in the afternoon, giving up one walk in 17 batters faced over 69 pitches. Alvin went down in order four of the five innings played with Bennett closing out the game in impressive fashion by striking out the side.

LSUE would provide all the offense needed in the opening frame. The Bengals got back-to-back doubles to open the game as Mari Baldwin would drive in Maddie Leal. Baldwin would later score on a Madison Prejean sacrifice ground out.

Maci Baldwin pushed the LSUE lead to 4-0 in the third as the freshman tripled home a pair of runs. LSUE would get back-to-back home runs later in the inning from Cendall Barton and Madison Prejean.

Baldwin and Barton would both grab multi-hit games in LSUE’s nine-hit attack.

Taylor Palmer would secure the run-rule by scoring on a wild pitch from third.

Game 2 vs. Alvin CC – W, 6-3
LSUE climbed out of an early hole to score a 6-3 victory and grab the Bengals a season opening sweep of Alvin CC.

After scoring the opening run of the game, LSUE saw it fall into a 3-1 hole in the second inning after the Dolphins used four hits and a walk to take the lead. The Bengals would shutout Alvin for the remainder thanks to a strong relief by Cendall Barton. The sophomore allowed just one hit in 4.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The rally would start in the fourth as freshmen Madison Diaville and Skylar Cheek would each drive in runs to tie the game, 3-3. Diaville keep her hot bat rolling with a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth followed later in the frame by a two-run shot by Abby Touchet.

LSUE would outhit Alvin 9-7 as Diaville, Maddie Leal and Mari Baldwin all had two-hit games.