The McNeese Cowgirls survived a scare.
The No. 1 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament was tested by Northwestern State on Wednesday but the Cowgirls pulled out the 6-5 win by plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Northwestern State struck first in the second inning as a single up the middle by Laney Roos drove in a run for the Demons.
McNeese tied the game in the bottom of the frame as pinch runner Erin Ardoin scored on Josie Willingham pop up in foul territory.The Cowgirls then took the lead in the third as Kendall Talley scored on a fly out by Kaylee Lopez.
NSU tied the game in the fourth as Taylor Williams scored on a fielding error. The Demons then took the lead in the fifth inning on a Kat Marshall double to left field which brought home Tristin Court.
McNeese responded as Toni Perrin crossed home plate on a single by Chloe Gomez in the sixth.
NSU took the lead in the top of the seventh with a solo home run by Makenzie Chaffin. In the bottom frame, McNeese forced extra innings as a single by Perrin brought home Jil Poullard.
NSU took the lead again in the top of the eighth as a single by Bailie Ragsdale drove in a run.
McNeese tied the game in the bottom of the eighth as bunt single by Talley scored Willingham. The Cowgirls then won the game on a single to right field by Crislyne Moreno which allowed Alayis Seneca to score.
BIG NUMBER: 21
The two teams combined to leave 21 runners on the base paths in Wednesday’s contest. NSU left 11 stranded while McNeese left 10.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: JIL POULLARD & ASHLEY VALLEJO
Poullard went 2-for-3 with run scored and drew two walks in the victory. Vallejo gave up three runs (two earned) on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.
UP NEXT: McNeese will play the winner of Southeastern Louisiana-Houston Baptist game. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. on Thursday.