McNeese Softball opens the season with a shutout win over UL-Monroe

Staff Reports

The Contraband

McNeese senior pitcher Jamie Allred was nearly perfect in a one hit complete game shutout Wednesday in the Cowgirls’ 4-0 season opening win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Cowgirls will head to preseason #16 Baylor Friday to begin a three-game series.

“This was a great team win tonight,” said head coach Joanna Hardin. “Our offense kept chipping away and finally busted through in the fifth with three runs. Jamie (Allred) had great rhythm all game and she set the tempo. Our pitching staff is able to throw with such freedom when our offense comes out like we did tonight,” Hardin said.

McNeese (1-0) picked up eight hits in the game and was led with two apiece by Erika Piancastelli, Emily Vincent, and Shelbi Strickland. Strickland also scored two of the four Cowgirl runs and freshman Justyce McClain led the Cowgirls with two RBI and picked up her first collegiate hit. Taylor Goree also had a single. Piancastelli and Strickland were both 2 for 3 while Vincent was 2 for 4 on the day.

The only thing that spoiled a perfect game for Allred was the one hit given up in the second inning and a hit batsman in the seventh. Allred didn’t allow a walk and struck out 10 Warhawks. She struck out six of the final eight batters she faced.

McNeese came out swinging with Erika Piancastelli leading the game off with a double to right center. McClain moved Piancastelli to third on a sacrifice bunt. Piancastelli was thrown out at home in an attempt to score after she tagged up on a fly ball hit to left field by Vincent.

The Cowgirls got on the board first with a run in the third by Strickland. Strickland reached base on a one out bloop single to center then went to second after Hailey Drew was hit by a pitch. Strickland scored on a Warhawk error to give McNeese a 1-0 lead.

McNeese added three runs in the fifth on three hits to extend its lead to 4-0. Taylor Goree got things started with a single through the left side followed by a bunt single by Shelbi Strickland. A sacrifice bunt by Hailey Drew moved both runners up one base. Piancastelli was intentionally walked to load the bases. McClain notched her first collegiate hit and RBI’s with a single to left that scored both Goree and Strickland. A ground out to second base by Emily Vincent brought Piancastelli across the plate for the third run of the inning.

“We still had some small miscues and mistakes, however, we will learn from every game and every situation in order to get better. Our focus is now on Baylor and we look forward to competing against a quality opponent in the Bears.”

Amye Barre picked up the only ULM (0-1) hit in the game. Melanie Coyne took the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits, one walk and struck out four.