The McNeese Cowgirls fell short of making program history on Sunday night as the Washington Huskies scored seven runs in the seventh inning to win the final game of the NCAA Seattle Regional. McNeese was looking to win its first ever NCAA Regional.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After two scoreless innings, McNeese got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning.
Brooke Otto led off the frame with a single to right centerfield and advanced to second base on a groundout. Alayis Seneca then singled through the left side and then stole second base.
McNeese’s Reese Reyna reached on fielder’s choice as Otto was out trying to cross home plate.
Chloe Gomez stepped into the batter’s box and drove the second pitch she saw into left field to score Seneca. After Gomez stole second base, that put runners on second and third.
Corine Poncho took the second pitch she saw and doubled it down the left field line to plate two more runs.
McNeese added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth as Otto drove in Mariana Torres with a double to left centerfield.
The Cowgirls added to their lead in the fifth.
Seneca led off with a single and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice sac bunt by Reyna. Gomez reached on a fielder’s choice as the Huskies opteed to get Seneca out at third base.
Poncho then stepped into the batter’s box and drove a single through the left side to load the bases. Emily Phillips drew a walk which drove in Reyna.
Torres then hit a deep fly ball to right field which scored Gomez.
Washington finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh as they finally got to McNeese starter Ashley Vallejo.
Jadelyn Allchin drove in a run with a double and then scored two batters later on a double by Rylee Holtorf. Kelley Lynch then got on first base with a single but an error allowed yet another run to score.
Vallejo then walked the next hitter and gave up a fielder’s choice to back-to-back fielder’s choices. The Huskies then tied the game with a double to left center by Sami Reynolds.
Whitney Tate was brought in to replace Vallejo and then gave up a double to centerfield by Madison Huskey that gave Washington a 7-6 lead.
McNeese came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh.
Reyna led off with a single to center field but Gomez struck out and then Poncho lined out. A fielder’s choice by Phillips ended the game and the season for the Cowgirls.
BIG NUMBER: 7
The Washington Huskies were held scoreless through the first six innings of Sunday night’s deciding game. Then in the top of the seventh, the Huskies plated seven runs (six earned) to take the lead.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: CORINE PONCHO
Poncho came up clutch at the plate as she went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI for the Cowgirls in the losing effort.