Vallejo, Sanders dominate in doubleheader sweep of A&M-Commerce

LAKE CHARLES — McNeese softball completed its home opening Southland Conference series sweep over Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday with two more shutouts, an 8-0 (5 inn.) win in the opening game of the doubleheader and ended the series with a 1-0 win.

McNeese (22-10, 6-0 SLC) outhit the Lions (5-24, 1-5 SLC) 12-5 on the day with Alayis Seneca leading McNeese at the plate with a 3 for 4 performance, on run scored, and three stolen bases. Of the six conference wins by the Cowgirls, five have been shutouts and three have been run-rule wins.

When the Cowgirls reached base, they were active on the base paths, ending the day with 10 for 10 stolen bases to give them 82 on the season.

The pitching of Ashley Vallejo and Shaelyn Sanders was dominating in which both pitchers picked up shutout victories and each had 10 strikeouts each. Vallejo faced 17 batters in her game one win to improve to 6-7 overall and 2-0 in league play. Sanders, who had been sidelined with an injury, threw her first complete game and picked up her first shutout of the season, remaining undefeated at 3-0 with it being her first conference win of the season.

McNeese opened the day by scoring a single run in the first inning then adding three in the third and four more in the fourth to seal the win.

In the nightcap, the only run of the game came when Reese Reyna took advantage of an opportunity in the third inning and stole third. An attempt to throw Reyna out a third resulted in a Lion error which allowed Reyna to score.

McNeese will travel to Huntsville, Texas on Wednesday to face Sam Houston in a single game beginning at 6:30 p.m.

G1 SCORING
1st- Chloe Gomez scored on ground out by Reese Reyna (McN 1, AMC 0)
3rd- Reese Reyna scored on a wild pitch and two more runs scored on a triple by Crislyne Moreno (McN 4, AMCC 0)
4th- McNeese added four runs in the inning. Mariana Torres doubled in two runs, Bouvier singled in a run and later scored on a wild pitch(McN 8, AMCC 0)

G2 SCORING
3rd- Reese Reyna stole third and scored on a Texas A&M-Commerce error (McN 1, AMCC 0)

NOTES (G1)
•- McNeese picked up eight hits with two extra base hits
•- Marianna Torres led the Cowgirls with two hits, two RBI, and two runs scored with a double
•- Ashley Vallejo improved to 2-0 in league play this season and 11-0 in the SLC dating back to last season.
•- Vallejo struck out 10 batters without allowing a walk in the complete game shutout. The 10 strikeouts is her second straight game with 10 or more as the starting pitcher.

NOTES (G2)
•- McNeese missed a chance to score in the first inning, leaving the bases loaded.
•- McNeese picked up four hits in the game with Alayis Seneca leading the Cowgirls with two hits.
•- Shaelyn Sanders picked up her first complete game and first shutout of the season with the win to remain undefeated at 3-0 on thee year.
•- After allowing a leadoff walk, Sanders retired the next five batters including four strikeouts before giving up her first hit of the game. She then retired 15 of the final 17 batters she faced.
• Sanders struck out 10 of the 24 batters she faced.

SLC NOTES (In the first six games)
•- In its six SLC games, McNeese has five shutouts
•- Of the six wins, three-have been run-rule wins
•- McNeese has outscored its opponents 42-1 in league play
•- McNeese has outhit its opponents 59-15 and have a combined 19 extra base hits and 37 RBI
• McNeese has stolen 27 of 30 bases, with 28 walks.
•- The pitching staff has held to opponents to a .123 average and have a combined 43 strikeouts