The Contraband
McNeese softball took fifth ranked Louisiana-Lafayette to its first extra inning game of the season before falling 5-4 in nine innings.
A bases loaded game winning single by Taylor Terrior scored Sarah Arceneaux to extend the Cajuns’ winning streak to 14 games, tying Florida State for the second longest winning streak in the nation this season. UL-Lafayette improves to 20-1 on the season.
Senior Emily Vincent was on the losing end, falling to 5-2 on the season despite throwing one if not her best game of the season. Vincent gave up five runs, four earned on 13 hits, walked three and struck out six.
“Emily Vincent was outstanding tonight,” said head coach Joanna Hardin. “She competed every pitch, every inning, every out. I’m extremely proud of how she led the team, kept her composure in pressure situations, and made quality pitches when she needed to.”
The Cowgirls (16-6) picked up nine hits including three doubles off Cajun pitchers Alex Stewart and Kylee Jo Trahan. Marisa Taunton and Morgan Catron combined for five of the nine Cowgirl hits. Taunton ended the game with three hits including a double. Catron picked up two hits in her three at bats. Erika Piancastelli and Vincent also picked up one double apiece.
McNeese opened the game with one run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead on an illegal pitch by the Cajuns’ starter Alex Stewart.
UL-Lafayette scored three runs on four hits in the third to take a 3-1 lead. A double by Hayden tied the game then a single by Elkins gave the Cajuns a 2-1 lead. A bloop single brought the third Cajun run home.
The Cowgirls come back in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead off three runs on two hits and a Cajun error. McNeese put the tying runs with its first two batters of the inning on a singe by Catron then a walk by Drew. Vincent drew a walk to load the bases. After a Cowgirl strike out, Shanice Hagler singled to left bringing Taunton home from third and Drew tied the game after a colliding at home with Elkins. Elkins’ glove fell off during the tag and Drew was called safe. A Cajun error brought Vincent home representing the go ahead run.
The Cajuns tied the game at four all in the seventh with a run off an Elkins single to centerfield. With the game-winning run on third, Vincent struck out Sanders to send the game into extra innings.
McNeese failed to take the lead in the eighth after Tori Yanitor was hit by a pitch to lead the inning off. She moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Vincent was on the back end of a double play after Goree lined out to left field. Yanitor was tagged out at second base from the throw from left field.
Vincent held the Cajuns scoreless in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded by getting Elkins, the nations home run leader to pop out to second with the bases loaded for the third out.
“We had a game plan where to keep the ball in the zone,” said Vincent. “Elkins is a great hitter but I knew that my defense had by back all game and if I hit my spots then we would get her out one way or another. It was a cool feeling being under a lot of pressure but feeling super calm. I have a lot of confidence in my defense so they make the game easier than it should be, especially in those situations.”
After the Cowgirls went down in order in the ninth, Vincent walked the leadoff batter before being replaced by Jamie Allred. Allred struggled from the onset. Allred faced three batters, gave up two walks and the game winning hit.
“I thought that was incredibly classy of the UL-Lafayette fans to give Emily a standing ovation when she came off the field. That’s a moment I will never forget as a coach and I’m sure she never will either,” said Hardin.
McNeese will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in its home opener this weekend beginning with a 5 p.m. doubleheader Friday.
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