McNeese demonstrated why the Cowgirls are rated as one of the favorites to win the 2016 Southland Conference softball crown on the first weekend of the season by sweeping a series from Sam Houston Friday and Saturday at the Bearkat Softball Complex.
The visitors from Lake Charles, La., added 12-4 and 11-1 run-rule victories to a 10-1 win Friday night to up McNeese's season record to 16-5.
“We knew coming into the weekend that McNeese State is one of the top teams in the league,” Sam Houston head coach Bob Brock. “A lot of people think they're going to win it this year. They're an excellent ball club. But we got some licks in. This team is still a work in progress, but we've still got a lot of softball games to play. I like our talent.”
Sam Houston had several bright spots in the series. Outfielder Breanna Homer hit .444 in the series, going 4-for-9 with her first two home runs of the year and four runs batted in. Ashley Goetz, Codi Carpenter, Katie Doerre and Samantha Belongia each added a pair of hits in the series.
McNeese demonstrated their offensive power with 23 runs on 32 hits during the two-day affair.
The Cowgirls scored their 12 runs on 11 hits and three Bearkat errors in the first game. Catcher Erika Piancastelli accounted for four runs batted in with three coming on a home run in the five-run third inning. Rachel Smith (4-1) picked up the victory in the circle, striking out six of the 23 Bearkat batters she faced in five innings.
Outfielder Breanna Homer and second baseman Dani Allen both went 2-for-4 in the opener. Homer's second home run in two games scored two runs for the Bearkats in the fifth inning. She added a third RBI with a single to left field in the sixth. Designated player Ashley Goetz also posted a solo home run in the fourth inning. Right fielder Samantha Belongia also picked up a pair of hits.
Taylor Atkinson took the loss in the circle for the Sam women. She struck out three Cowgirl batters. Jade Alford pitched the final inning of the first game in relief.
In the second game Piancastelli continued her domination with four RBIs on two hits. Jamie Allred was the winning pitcher, striking out eight. Brooke Seneshen took the loss for Sam Houston.
