McNeese defeats SFA 3-1 to advance to NISC Regional Championship

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — McNeese softball (32-31) advanced to the NISC Region championship game here Friday evening with a 3-1 win over Stephen F. Austin.

The Cowgirls, who will play Texas-Arlington at 10 a.m. Saturday, must defeat the Mavericks twice to advance to the championship round in Fort Collins, Colorado May 24-26. UTA defeated McNeese 5-3 Friday afternoon in the Cowgirls’ lone loss of the tournament.

TEXAS-ARLINGTON 5, McNEESE 3

B1- UTA took an early lead with two runs. UTA 2, McN 0

T2- McNeese scored three runs in the top half of the inning. Two errors allowed McNeese to tie the game at two apiece then a sacrifice fly by Cori McCrary scored pinch hitter Taylor Edwards for the lead. McN 3, UTA 2

B3- UTA retook the lead with three runs on three hits and one Cowgirl error. UTA 5, McN 3

NOTES
-McNeese left the tying runs on base in the top of the seventh
-The Cowgirls picked up eight hits
– Toni Perrin led with two hits
– Kaylee Lopez had the only extra base hit, a double in the first inning
– Both teams each left six runners stranded
– Saleen Flores fell to 5-6 on the year with the complete game loss. Flores allowed seven hits, three earned runs, four walks and struck out two

McNEESE 3, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 1

T4- McNeese took advantage of an SFA error to break a scoreless tie. With one out the Cowgirls got back-to-back singles from Kaylee Lopez and Aubree Turbeville. Following a sacrifice fly to right field by Toni Perrin, pinch runner Taylor Edwards scored on an error. McN 1, SFA 0

T6- A two out double to left field by Alexandria Saldivar scored Toni Perrin and Demi Boudreaux. Perrin reached base on a fielder’s choice and Boudreaux reached on a fielder’s choice.

B6- SFA scored their lone run of the game to avoid the shutout. With two outs, Bryana Novegil double to score Brittany Crawford. McN 3, SFA 1

NOTES
– Justyce McClain moved into a second-place tie in McNeese career stolen bases with 93 after her steal in the first inning
– McNeese collected four hits with Kaylee Lopez, Aubree Turbeville, Demi Boudreaux, and Alexandria Saldivar all picking up one hit apiece
– Saldivar collected the only extra base hit with a double to left in the sixth that put McNeese up 3-1
– Caroline Settle improved to 9-9 on the year with the complete game victory. Settle gave up six hits and allowed one run, walked one and struck out one batter