McNesse rallies for three-peat SLC softball tournament title, win 4-2 over No. 1 Nicholls

McNeese becomes the first Southland school to three-peat the tournament championship

Tournament Central | Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. – It took seventh-inning magic for McNeese to become the first Southland school to three-peat the tournament title.

The Cowgirls came-from-behind in the final inning of the game to win 4-2 over No. 1 Nicholls at the 2018 Southland Conference Softball Tournament championship at Joe Miller Field in Lake Charles, La., on Friday.

Nicholls’ starting pitcher Megan Landry held a no-hitter going into the final inning with four-time Southland Player of the Year Erika Piancastelli at the plate. And Piancastelli delivered.

The senior from Carlsbad, Calif., smashed a no-doubter between the light pole and the “Pokes Under the Oak” in left-center to tie the score at 2-2. The Cowgirls’ first baseman and Tournament MVP Morgan Catron slid home off catcher Aubree Turbeville’s squeezed bunt to give McNeese the 3-2 edge. McNeese then added an insurance run when centerfielder Brenique Wright singled to second base to score shortstop Tayler Strother.

The Colonels held a 2-1 lead after the fifth inning when designated player Kali Clement lifted one centerfield. It was the second home run for Nicholls in the game after first baseman Samantha Dares cracked just her second blast of the season, a solo shot to centerfield in the bottom of the third to even the game.

McNeese started Caroline Settle in the circle, and she went six innings, scattering six hits and striking out three. Alexsandra Flores came into the game in the last frame to close out the win, striking out all three batters she faced.

The NCAA Division I Softball Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The Cowgirls have been to the Baton Rouge Regional the last two years.