LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese State took advantage of five HBU walks, as the Cowgirls completed the series sweep with a 7-0 win over the Huskies Saturday afternoon from Cowgirl Diamond. The game was delayed 90 minutes at the original start due to rain.
Shay Orsak led HBU (6-19 overall, 0-9 SLC) with two hits, as she went 2-for-4. Four other Huskies registered a hit, including
Erica Schmalenberger, which was her first as a member of HBU.
Emily Mueller started in the circle and took the loss, as she allowed three hits, six runs, and five walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings.
Shannon O'Connor tossed the final 2.2 innings and gave up two hits and one run while striking out one.
Emily Vincent led McNeese State (23-9, 9-0) with two hits, as she went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Erica Piancastelli, who went 1-for-3 at the plate, had the Cowgirls' other RBI. Rachel Smith earned the complete-game win in the circle, as she allowed six hits and one walk while striking out seven.
After giving up a leadoff walk, Mueller settled down and retired the Cowgirls in order – the final two outs coming with Lauren Langner at third base – as the teams entered the second inning scoreless.
McNeese State drew two walks and had a hit batter in the top of the second, but unfortunately for the Huskies, they couldn't get out of the inning unscathed this time. Hailey Drew reached first on a free pass to lead off the inning, advanced to second when Taylor Schmidt was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced a base on a double steal, and Drew crossed home on a passed ball. Taylor Goree laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed both Schmidt at third and Lakeyn Fontenot at second to score to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.
Piancastelli led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to center to give the Cowgirls a 4-0 lead, their first hit of the game.
The Huskies had their best chance to get on the board in the top of the fourth, as
Madison Vonhagel hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a groundout, and to third when Schmalenberger reached on an error. But Smith and the Cowgirls got a strikeout to end the threat and keep the shutout, 4-0.
Tuesday's home doubleheader against Prairie View A&M has been postponed due to a schedule conflict, so HBU's next games will be home against Incarnate Word Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28. Friday's doubleheader begins at 2 pm, while Saturday's first pitch starts at noon.
