Hillary Adams hit two home runs to lead the Sam Houston offense in a 14-5 loss to McNeese State in the Southland Conference softball opener for both teams Friday in Lake Charles, La.

The two homers were key to a comeback that saw the Bearkats erase a 5-0 deficit to tie the game 5-5 in the top of the fifth inning. But the Cowgirls rallied for nine runs in the bottom of the fifth to run-rule the Kats.

McNeese, two-time defending league champions and the pre-season pick to win the Southland again in 2015, upped their season record to 14-6. Sam Houston fell to 7-12.

The Cowgirls totaled 14 hits including four home runs, two triples and two doubles. McNeese opened the contest with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the second.

Adams, who stands as Sam Houston's all-time home run leader, upped her career total to 35 with the two blasts. Her first home Friday, a solo shot to center field, came in the top of the fourth. The other, a two-run blast, sparked a four-run inning in the top of the fifth.

Dani Allen added a triple. Tiffany Castillo went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Haley Baros, Tayler Atkinson and Meme Quinn pitched for the Bearkats.

Sam Houston and McNeese will complete the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.