The McNeese Cowgirls’ softball team defeated the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 5-4 on Tuesday night at Cowgirl Diamond in Lake Charles. The win now evens the season series 1-1 between the two in-state rivals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with the Cajuns offense getting going right away. Maddie Hayden reached on a single and was moved around with an error and stolen base. Then Cecilia Vasquez came through with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Louisiana.
The Cowgirls would answer that run in the bottom half. Nyjah Fontenot came through with an RBI single to tie things up at one after one full inning.
In the second, McNeese would break things open. Jada Munoz brought home a run and had another score on an error on the play. Then, Fontenot brought home two with an RBI double. Quickly, it had become 5-1 Cowgirls.
The score would remain that way until the top half of the fifth, when the Cajuns would get back into it. A couple of singles preceded a two-run triple from Hayden, cutting the lead to 5-3. Then, Kayla Falterman scored another run on an RBI single, making it 5-4. Louisiana looked set up for more, but Vasquez lined into a double play to end the frame.
The Cajuns threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. The double play bit them again, this time when Mia Norwood grounded into a twin-killing.
McNeese held the Cajuns scoreless in the seventh with no drama, clinching the one-run victory.
BIG NUMBER: 2
McNeese faced bases-loaded, one out jams in both the fifth and sixth innings, leading by just a single run. In both instances, they orchestrated key double plays to keep the lead.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nyjah Fontenot
Fontenot went 2-4 and drove in three of McNeese’s five runs. She was the offensive spark they needed in the win.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns will play host to ULM beginning Friday night at 6:00. The Cowgirls will host Nicholls beginning Friday night at 6:00.