TYLER, Tx. – LSU Eunice used a pair of big innings to help pave the way towards a pair of wins over Tyler JC on the road. The victories helped the Bengals (40-15) secure the program's 10th straight 40-win season under head coach Andy Lee.
LSU Eunice exploded for a six-run first inning on its way to a 9-0 mercy rule win over the Apaches, then rallied from a six-run hole with a seven-run sixth inning in a 7-6 backend of the twinbill. The Game One shutout was just the second this season the fifth-ranked Apaches were held scoreless.
Haley Godeaux and Hannah Carpenter paced the Bengals' offense by driving in three runs a piece in Games One and Two, respectively.
LSUE and Tyler JC will meet again for a Sunday doubleheader starting at 1:00PM.
GAME ONE
LSU Eunice capitalized on three Tyler JC errors in the first inning to help the Bengals on their way to a 9-0 run-rule win. LSUE broke through for six runs in the first inning and added three more an inning later.
After Mima Doucet lead off the game with a flyout, LSUE loaded the bases on three consecutive base hits. Ally Howard would help the first two runs score after two Apache errors a grounder to the pitcher. Sierra Gasca made it a 3-0 game a batter later with a single to left field and was followed by Haley Godeaux's two run single. Godeaux would cap off the scoring by reaching home after Maleah Saucedo reached base off a third TJC error of the inning.
Heather Zumo did not allow the Apaches to respond by sitting down Tyler JC in order including two strikeouts to end the frame. Zumo (22-6) allowed just two hits over five innings, striking out four batters in the outing.
Howard would get the scoring started again in the second inning with a double to right field that allowed Madison Monson to come in. Sierra Gasca came through as well with a sacrifice grounder to second base, giving the Bengals a 8-0 advantage. Godeaux would bring in Howard on a RBI single to centerfield.
Godeaux was the lone Bengal to notch multiple hits in LSUE's seven hit attack. The sophomore drove in a team-high three runs on the game. Howard and Gasca added two RBIs a piece.
GAME TWO
A seven-run sixth inning helped LSUE rally from a six-run hole to capture a dramatic 7-6 win over Tyler JC in the back half of Saturday's doubleheader. All seven runs for the Bengals came with two outs in the sixth inning.
Tyler JC built a 6-0 lead after the Apaches tagged LSUE pitchers Morghan LaTour and Jeanne Trahan for all six runs off 12 combined hits and three walks. Briana Paysinger led the TJC attack with a two-hit, two-RBI game.
LSU Eunice had 12 batters see the plate in the sixth inning that began with Alexa Lonibos drawing a walk. After Lexi-Jo Debarge flied out, Ally Howard was hit by a pitch and Kacie Becnel lined out to leave LSUE down to its final out.
Lakyn Wales started the dramatic comeback with a single up the middle to score Lonibos. Angela Donaldson drove in another run a batter later to make it a 6-2 game. After Kelci Bodin walked to load the bases, Hannah Carpenter unloaded the diamond with a double to left field. Mima Doucet would tie it up 6-6 in the next at-bat with another double, her team's best 26th double of the season. Madison Monson gave LSUE its first ad only lead of the game with a third straight double to score Doucet, giving LSUE a 7-6 edge.
Heather Zumo would come in to shut down the Tyler JC bats over the final two innings. Zumo (23-6) retired all six Apache batters she faced, striking out one.
