HAMMOND, La. – Top-seed McNeese State scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to turn a 1-0 lead to a 4-0 advantage, as the Cowgirls defeated HBU, 5-0, Thursday afternoon in the Southland Conference Tournament.

HBU (22-27) faces Sam Houston State Friday at 11 am. The third-seeded Bearkats were defeated by sixth-seed Central Arkansas, 1-0.

Kirsten Schwirtlich led the Huskies with two hits, going 2-for-3. Melissa Herman, Cecilia Bauer, and Daniella Rodarte had a hit apiece. Shannon O'Connor (8-7) took the hard-fought loss in the circle, as she allowed eight hits, five runs (two earned), and three walks with one strikeout.

The Huskies were facing the Southland Conference's Hitter and Player of the Years in Alanna DiVittorio and Pitcher of the Year in Jamie Allred. DiVittorio went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for McNeese State (39-15). Marisa Taunton had two hits for the Cowgirls. Allred (26-7) allowed five hits and struck out four.

McNeese State struck first as DiVittorio's RBI single to right field brought home Katie Roux in the bottom of the second. With runners at second and third, Rodarte made a fantastic diving catch to end the inning.

The Huskies had a chance to tie, as K. Schwirtlich led off the top of the fourth with her second hit of the game, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Burnett. But Allred got consecutive pop outs to end the threat and keep the Cowgirls up, 1-0.

The Cowgirls scored three times in the bottom of the fifth, all coming with two outs, to increase their lead to 4-0. Emily Vincent's RBI single to left brought one run home and Lauren Langner scored on the throw. With pinch runner Victoria Rich at second, pinch hitter Stacey Conley brought her home with an RBI single. McNeese State added another run in the bottom of the sixth on Taunton's RBI single as the Cowgirls led the Huskies, 5-0.

HBU will face Sam Houston State in a do-or-die game Friday at 11 am.