Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Mother Nature finally cooperated and the Houston Baptist softball team was able to start its season. It wasn't the way the team wanted to start, however, as the Huskies were swept in a doubleheader by host McNeese State, 4-0 and 3-2 in eight innings.

HBU drops to 0-2 on the young season, while McNeese State improves to 9-4.

In game one, McNeese State scored four runs in the third inning and held the Huskies to just two hits. The Huskies converted three errors, resulting in two unearned runs.

In the third, the Huskies got the first batter out, but the Cowgirls had two consecutive singles and then a walk to load the bases with one out. Stacey Conley singled, bringing home two. The Cowgirls then scored two more times, both unearned. The fourth run of the inning was a double-steal, with Kelsey Jolly stealing home.

Rebecca Rademacher and Kate Maddock each went 1-for-3 for HBU. Kendall Stiefel took the loss in the circle, going the distance and allowing four hits and two earned runs. She struck out seven and walked four.

The Cowgirls just had four hits on the day, with Lauren Langner having two of them. Conley's lone hit of the game was a big one, resulting in two RBI. Meagan Bond also went the distance for McNeese State, allowing two hits and striking out eight.

In game two, HBU had a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the seventh, but McNeese State scored twice to send the game into extras, then won it in the bottom of the eighth.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth, when Victoria Granchelli started the inning with a walk. Following a sacrifice bunt by Maddock advancing Granchelli to second, Christensen ripped a single up the middle, scoring Granchelli.

The Huskies increased their lead to 2-0 one inning later. Maddock started the inning reaching on base via error, advancing to second on a sac bunt, then scoring on another Cowgirl error. The Huskies had a golden opportunity to break the game wide open with bases loaded and just one out, but Christensen struck out and Michaela Granchelli flew out to left.

McNeese State started the bottom of the seventh with two strikeouts and was down to its final out. Megan Knippa pinch-hit and singled, followed by a pinch-hit two-run home run by Caitlyn Gunn.

HBU went 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth. Alanna DiVitorrio started the inning with a walk. She stole second. Dani Price singled and DiVitorrio scored on a Husky error.

M. Granchelli went 2-for-3 for HBU, while V. Granchelli and Christensen each had an RBI. Beth Evans started the game and went 7.1 innings, taking the loss. She allowed six hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out seven. Keely Shuler relieved Evans and allowed one hit.

Claire Terracina went 3-for-3 for McNeese State. Gunn had two RBI. Tiffany Denham started the game in the circle for the Cowgirls, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk and striking out seven. Bond relieved Denham and pitched 2.2 innings, earning the win. She allowed one hit and struck out three.

HBU (0-2) will participate in the UT-Arlington Classic this weekend. The Huskies will play Drake and UT-Arlington on Feb. 24 at 1 pm and 5 pm, respectively. The Huskies will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 11 am on the 25th before semifinal play.