Crislyne Moreno’s two-run home run lifts Cowgirls over Lions to salvage final game of SLC series

HAMMOND — Crislyne Moreno’s two run home run proved to be the difference in McNeese’s 2-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday in its Southland Conference softball series finale.

With the win, the Cowgirls improve to 35-14 overall and 15-3 in the SLC. The loss drops Southeastern to 41-12 overall and 16-5 in thee SLC.

Erin Ardoin drew a leadoff walk to start the third inning then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Reese Reyna. Following a fly out to centerfield by Chloe Gomez, Moreno belted her fourth home run of the season to put the Cowgirls up 2-0.

Cowgirl starter Ashley Vallejo got out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning with a strikeout that kept the Lady Lions off the scoreboard. Vallejo continued her solid pitching through 5 2/3 innings before giving up a solo home run to Lexi Johnson to cut the Cowgirl lead to 2-1. Vallejo then got Audrey Greely to ground out to end the inning.

Shaelyn Sanders entered the circle in the seventh inning for the Cowgirls and got Ka’Lyn Watson to ground out to Reese Reyna at short and struck out pinch hitter Blaire Bizette for the second out. A walk to Cam Goodman put the tying run on first but Sanders calmly got Maria Detillier to fly out to center to end the game.

With the win, Vallejo improved to 14-8 overall and 8-1 in the SLC after allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Sanders picked up her first save of the season in one inning of work and facing three batters.

McNeese will return home for its Southland Conference regular season finale against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

The series will begin with a single game at 6 p.m. Friday and will conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.

Following Saturday’s doubleheader, seniors Kaylee Lopez, Whitney Tate, Caleigh Cross, and Alayis Seneca will be honored.