It wasn’t the start the McNeese softball team imagined in the Southland Conference Tournament as they fell to Incarnate Word 3-2 but then bounced back with an 8-6 win over Houston Christian Wednesday eventing. James Landreneau’s group returned to the diamond on Thursday to face Nicholls and went down early in the first but came back to win 4-3 in extra innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Averi Paden was the Colonels’ starting pitcher and made quick work of the top third of McNeese’s lineup by striking out Crislyne Moreno, then forcing line and pop out.
Nicholls took the lead at the bottom of the first as Abby Anderson opened with a single, then Alexa Poche’ hit an RBI triple down the right field line. Katy Sanders hit a ground out to second base but Poche’ got home to give the Colonels the 2-0 advantage.
Alexis Dibbley cut into that lead with a solo home run over the left-center field wall at the top of the second.
After giving up two runs, McNeese starting pitcher Shaelyn Sanders didn’t allow a hit to the next seven batters, including striking out two batters. The Cowgirls had a chance to tie the game or take the lead at the top of the fourth as Corinne Poncho and Dibbley hit singles then advanced on a ground out by Rylie Bouvier but Bella Perez’s hit was caught at the warning track to end the inning.
Sanders forced two quick outs at the bottom of the fourth, Gabby Higbee doubled into left-center field, and Clair Sisco’s bunt put runners on first and third base. Lilianna Robledo walked to load the bases and McKenzie Champagne brought in a run after she was also walked.
Reese Reyna singled at the top of the fifth but got out on a fielder’s choice. Emily Phillips who pinch-hit for Brilee Ford walked then Kelsey Gaspard came in for Moreno and hit the RBI double. The game was then tied at three after Samantha Mundine hit the sacrifice grounder to help Ford score after she came in to run for Phillips.
Audrey McNeill came in relief for Paden at the top of the sixth and recorded a strikeout against Dibbley then forced a ground out and pop out to end the inning. Paden’s final stats were five hits and three runs allowed compared to two strikeouts in five innings on the mound.
Following a scoreless sixth inning and seventh by McNeese, Nicholls had a chance for a walk-off win but couldn’t put a run on the board and headed to extra innings. to decide a winner.
At the top of the eighth, Dibbley hit a single into left-center field, and Perez hit an RBI triple to give the Cowgirls the lead. Higbee was injured on the play and had to be taken out after colliding with Anderson in the outfield.
Brooke Otto subbed into center field and immediately made a play at the wall, catching Poche’s hit for the first out to begin the bottom of the eighth. Sanders forced a line out into right field and struck out Sydni Stevens to secure the 4-3 win over Nicholls.
BIG NUMBER: 8
Pitcher of the Year Shaelyn Sanders played in all eight innings for McNeese on Thursday as she recorded five strikeouts, six hits, and three runs allowed.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alexis Dibbley
Dibbley was seeing the ball well Thursday afternoon as she finished the day with three hits, two runs scored, and a home run in four at-bats as the Cowgirls moved on and eliminated the Colonels in a 4-3 win.
UP NEXT: The McNeese softball team will be back in about an hour for a rematch against Incarnate Word at North Oak Park in Hammond, Louisiana.