Softball: McNeese falls 3-0 to South Alabama

LAKE CHARLES — South Alabama scored all of its runs in the first inning in a 3-0 win over McNeese softball here Tuesday.

The Jaguars (6-4) pounded out 11 hits with three coming in the first inning. After starting the game with a strikeout, Cowgirl starter Ashley Vallejo (1-3) allowed three consecutive hits including back-to-back doubles with two outs that allowed USA to score its runs.

McNeese (8-3) wasn’t able to get a runner past second base and half of the Cowgirl outs were fly outs.

USA starter Olivia Lackie who picked up her first win of the season (1-2) on the season held McNeese in check for the majority of the game. Lackie allowed only five hits, two walks and struck out five Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls threatened to score in the sixth inning when Chloe Gomez singled to second base and Jil Poullard single through the right side with one out. The Cowgirls weren’t able to get the timely hit as Corine Poncho struck out and Rylie Bouvier lined out to end the inning.

Reese Reyna led the Cowgirls at the plate, going 2 for 3 while Gomez, Poullard, and Bouvier all picked up singles.

The Cowgirls used three pitchers including Vallejo. Freshman Lindsay Davis threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, no walks and struck out one. Freshmen Ryann Schexnayder relieved Davis with two outs in the seventh with runners on second and third. Davis go Victoria Ortiz to pop out to second for the third out.

McNeese will remain home this weekend to host its own Cowgirl Classic II. McNeese will open tournament play against Stephen F. Austin on Friday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Ole Miss will also take part in the tournament that will run through Sunday.