Softball: McNeese drops Saturday’s DH to Austin Peay

LAKE CAHRLES— McNeese softball dropped a doubleheader to Austin Peay here Saturday with a 2-1 (16 inning) first game loss and a 4-3 setback in the second game Saturday and final game of the series.

With the loss on Friday to coupled by Saturday’s DH loss to Austin Peay, marks the first time McNeese has been swept by a non-conference opponent since Utah defeated the Cowgirls in 2015.

Saturday’s 16-inning game ties the longest game played in program history. The Cowgirls defeated UL-Lafayette 2-1 in 16 innings in 1984.

With Saturday’s losses, McNeese falls to 6-9 on the year and Austin Peay improved to 7-5. McNeese will conclude its five game home stand with a 6 p.m. game against UL-Monroe on Tuesday.

GAME 1

2^nd Inning- McNeese led the inning off with three consecutive hits including a lead on leadoff double by Alexandria Saldivar . After a single by Brenique Wright, Saldivar scored on a RBI single up the middle by Kristen Dietz.

6^th– Inning-  Austin Peay tied the game at one with a solo homerun

7^th Inning- McNeese left the winning runner stranded at second base with one out and failed to bring her home

9^th Inning- The Cowgirls defense held the go ahead run stranded on third with one out and got out of the inning on back-to-back ground outs.

15^th Inning- It looked like the Cowgirls would get the winning run across the plate but a double play ended the inning.

16^th Inning- A RBI single by Austin Peay’s Kacy Acree scored Natalie Shilling for a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, McNeese got a two out single from pinch hitter Kaylee Lopez but a strikeout by pinch hitter Amy Reed ended the game.

NOTES:

• – McNeese picked up a season high 13 hits
• – left a season high 13 base runners stranded
• – McNeese used three pitchers in the game
• – The Cowgirls got another good outing from sophomore Amber Coons who gave up five hits, one earned run in 7 1/3 innings.
• – Freshman Saleen Flores also had a good outing despite taking the loss. Flores gave up an earned run on six hits in 8 1.3 innings.
• – Freshman Alayis Seneca led McNeese with three hits
• – Alexandria Saldivar scored the only Cowgirl run

GAME 2

1^st Inning- Austin Peay took a 2-0 lead off a two run home run by Carly Mattson

4^th– Cowgirls cut the lead in half with a run of a double to left center by Aubree Turbeville that scored Kalee Lopez

5^th– Cowgirls took a 3-2 lead in a two RBI single up the middle by Cori McCrary that score Alayis Seneca and Justyce McClain

6^th– Austin Peay regained the lead when Kacy Acree led the inning off with a walk. Drew Dudley laid down a sac bunt and catcher Gracie Devall’s throw sailed over Saldivar’s head at first base and rolled all the way to the right field wall, allowing both Acree and Dduley to score for a 4-3.

NOTES:

• – McNeese missed an opportunity to score more runs in the third inning but left the bases loaded without scoring
• – McNeese outhit Austin Peay 8-5
• – Justyce McClain and Sara Geier led the Cowgirls with two hits apiece