Just five days after playing each other in Austin, Louisiana and McNeese met up in Cajun Country to battle it out one more time for the 2023 season. McNeese stayed in the game early, but Louisiana’s offense proved to be too much, erupting for four runs in the fifth for a 6-2 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game started for McNeese with a hit by a pitch and a single to put two Cowgirls on base. Kelsey Gaspard then sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Chloe Gomez and put McNeese ahead 1-0 early.
Louisiana tied the game in the third when Karly Heath came up with the bases loaded and sent a sacrifice fly behind third base to score Kylei Griffin and tie the game at 1-1. Lauren Allred then got an RBI groundout to score Mihyia Davis to give the Cajuns the 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, McNeese had runners at second and third when Alayis Seneca singled up the gap to score Bouvier and tie the game back up at 2. However, a Cowgirl tried to make it two runs and was tagged out at the plate to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Kylei Griffin took the lead for Louisiana with a solo home run to center field to make it a 3-2 game in favor of the Cajuns. Maddie Hayden hit an RBI single later in the inning to score Davis and extend the lead to 4-2. Then, Karly Heath stepped up with a two-run homer to push the lead to 6-2 for the Cajuns.
Louisiana allowed a baserunner to McNeese but was able to shut the door in a 6-2 win.
BIG NUMBER: 5
Louisiana was the benefactor of five walks given up by McNeese, helping propel them to the four-run victory.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Karly Heath
Heath launched a three-run homer in the fifth inning as a part of the four-run frame. She has led the Cajuns as one of their top offensive threats thus far.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will head to Gainesville for their final non-conference tournament at Florida for the Bubly Invitational. Meanwhile, McNeese will head to Monroe for a three-game set with ULM.