Box Score

HOUSTON – Houston Baptist erased a 3-0 hole with a run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth, but visiting McNeese State scored twice in the top of the seventh and held on to defeat the Huskies, 5-3, Sunday afternoon from Husky Field. It was the Huskies' eighth-straight loss and second-straight sweep in conference play.

Rebecca Rademacher went 2-for-4 with an RBI for HBU (13-19, 6-12 SLC). Daniella Rodarte, Shay Orsak, Mac Christensen, and Kate Maddock each had a hit, while Rodarte and Orsak had an RBI apiece. Lauren Schwirtlich went 0-for-4, ending her five-game hitting streak and her 20-game on-base streak.

Kendall Stiefel (4-5) took the loss in the circle, allowing five hits, five runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out two in 6.1 innings. Sarah Shotton pitched the final two-thirds and struck out one.

Ashley Modzelewski went 2-for-3 with an RBI for McNeese State (32-10, 13-3 SLC). Emily Vincent and Taylor Goree each had an RBI.

Vincent started in the circle and allowed two hits, one run, and one walk while striking out two in 4.2 innings. Meagan Bond allowed three hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Jamie Allred (15-3) relieved Bond and earned the win, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one in 1.2 inning.

The Cowgirls scored the first run of the game in the top of the second, as Katie Roux reached base on a Husky error, advanced to second on a groundout, then scored on an RBI single by Goree.

McNeese State increased its lead with a single run in the top of the fourth, as pinch-hitter Kim Kennedy was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Cowgirls' third run came an inning later, as pinch-runner Megan Knippa scored from third on a Husky error.

The Huskies got one of the runs back in the bottom half of the fifth, as Mac Christensen led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI double by Rademacher.

HBU tied the game 3-all with a two-run bottom of the sixth. Melissa Herman led off the inning with a single, was pinch-run for by Lauren Powers, who later scored on an RBI triple by Rodarte. Orsak then singled down the left-field line, scoring Rodarte and tying the game. The Cowgirls brought in Allred to pitch, as the Huskies had all the momentum, a runner on first, and just one out. After a fielder's choice got the lead runner out at second, Maddock hit a two-out single to place runners at first and second. But Allred got L. Schwirtlich looking on strikes.

The Cowgirls led off the top of the seventh with a walk by Alanna DiVittorio. She stole second, then Lauren Langner reached base safely on an error, placing runners on the corners with nobody out. Vincent hit the ball deep to center that L. Schwirtlich caught, but allowed DiVittorio to cross home to put the Cowgirls back ahead, 4-3. Langner tagged to third on the play and later scored on an RBI single by Modzelewski.

The Huskies threatened in the bottom of the seventh, with runners at first and second and just one out, but Allred got a fielder's choice and a groundout to end the game.

HBU will next play a three-game conference series at Northwestern State on April 20-21.