The Contraband
McNeese softball captured the Troy Classic here Sunday with a 5-0 tournament record after defeating Tennessee Tech 9-1 in six innings to improve to 7-2 on the season. The Cowgirls will travel to Gulfport, Mississippi Feb. 26-28 to take part in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic.
“I’m really proud of how we came out this weekend and competed every inning,” said head coach Joanna Hardin. “This weekend was the epitome of a “TEAM” weekend. Everybody contributed and you don’t always see that by looking at a box score.”
McNeese got home runs from Tori Yanitor, Erika Piancastelli, and Emily Vincent and three hits from Marisa Taunton that combined for six of the nine Cowgirl hits. The Cowgirls scored at least one run in all but the third inning, putting up three runs in the first and fourth innings.
Jamie Allred improved to 3-1 on the year with the complete game. Allred allowed one run on two hits and struck out eight.
“Our pitching staff did an outstanding job of sticking to our game plan and remaining focused one hitter at a time. Offensively, we executed very well, had quality at bats, and kept pressuring our opponents. We stayed in the moment and didn’t allow uncomfortable situations to thwart our confidence or approach,” said Hardin.
The Cowgirls didn’t waste anytime getting on the board by scoring three runs in the first, two coming from a two run home run by Yanitor’s first long ball of the season. Taunton scored the games first run after she led the game off by reaching first on an error. After Piancastelli was hit by a pitch and Taylor Schmidt struck out, McNeese put on a double steal that allowed Taunton to come home on an error for a 1-0 lead.
A run in the second gave McNeese a 4-0 lead. Hailey Drew nearly hit her first home run of the season when her ball hit the top of the outfield wall and fell back in the field for a double. A single to left field by Taunton scored Drew.
McNeese added four runs in the fourth including a two run home run by Piancastelli to take a 7-0 lead. A double to left center by Taunton scored Aubrey Turbeville after she was hit by a pitch and went to second on a ground out. Piancastelli send a 2-0 pitch over the wall for her second home run of the season to give McNeese a 7-0 lead.
Emily Vincent sent the first pitch she saw in the fifth inning over the centerfield wall for an 8-0 lead.
Tennessee Tech avoided the run-rule by scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth off a Cowgirl error.
Pinch hitter Rachel Smith led the sixth off with a single through the left side before moving into scoring position on an error. Taunton singled up the middle, scoring Smith from second.
“This is a very good weekend to build upon. We still have a lot of work to do to become the team we believe we are capable of becoming, but I do believe we are on track. We will enjoy the wins on the ride back home then will get back to work Monday morning.”
“I’m really proud of how we came out this weekend and competed every inning,” said head coach Joanna Hardin. “This weekend was the epitome of a “TEAM” weekend. Everybody contributed and you don’t always see that by looking at a box score.”
McNeese got home runs from Tori Yanitor, Erika Piancastelli, and Emily Vincent and three hits from Marisa Taunton that combined for six of the nine Cowgirl hits. The Cowgirls scored at least one run in all but the third inning, putting up three runs in the first and fourth innings.
Jamie Allred improved to 3-1 on the year with the complete game. Allred allowed one run on two hits and struck out eight.
“Our pitching staff did an outstanding job of sticking to our game plan and remaining focused one hitter at a time. Offensively, we executed very well, had quality at bats, and kept pressuring our opponents. We stayed in the moment and didn’t allow uncomfortable situations to thwart our confidence or approach,” said Hardin.
The Cowgirls didn’t waste anytime getting on the board by scoring three runs in the first, two coming from a two run home run by Yanitor’s first long ball of the season. Taunton scored the games first run after she led the game off by reaching first on an error. After Piancastelli was hit by a pitch and Taylor Schmidt struck out, McNeese put on a double steal that allowed Taunton to come home on an error for a 1-0 lead.
A run in the second gave McNeese a 4-0 lead. Hailey Drew nearly hit her first home run of the season when her ball hit the top of the outfield wall and fell back in the field for a double. A single to left field by Taunton scored Drew.
McNeese added four runs in the fourth including a two run home run by Piancastelli to take a 7-0 lead. A double to left center by Taunton scored Aubrey Turbeville after she was hit by a pitch and went to second on a ground out. Piancastelli send a 2-0 pitch over the wall for her second home run of the season to give McNeese a 7-0 lead.
Emily Vincent sent the first pitch she saw in the fifth inning over the centerfield wall for an 8-0 lead.
Tennessee Tech avoided the run-rule by scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth off a Cowgirl error.
Pinch hitter Rachel Smith led the sixth off with a single through the left side before moving into scoring position on an error. Taunton singled up the middle, scoring Smith from second.
“This is a very good weekend to build upon. We still have a lot of work to do to become the team we believe we are capable of becoming, but I do believe we are on track. We will enjoy the wins on the ride back home then will get back to work Monday morning.”
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