GULF SHORES, Ala. – LSU Eunice capped off a strong showing at the Sun Chief Classic at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex with a Saturday split to finish the two-day event 4-1.  The Bengals (15-3) did see their 13-game win streak come to an end with a loss in its final game of the day.
 
LSUE rolled past Walters State, 10-2, in five innings before losing a nail biter to Wallace State, 1-0.  Both teams were participants in last year's NJCAA Div. I World Series.
 
The Bengals continue their road swing next weekend with a pair of doubleheaders in the Magnolia State.  LSUE will head to Mississippi Gulf Coast on Friday, February 22 for a twinbill set to begin at 3:00PM from Ross-Smith Field.  The Bengals will face Hinds a day later, February 23 for a two-game set at Rene T. Warren Field beginning at 2:00PM.
 
Walters State CC – W, 10-2 (5 Innings)
Madison Monson (Walker, LA, Walker HS) drove in four runs including a two-run home run to propel LSU Eunice to a 10-2 run-rule victory in five innings. 
 
The sophomore's two-run shot put LSUE on the board first in its first at bat.   After Walters State countered with a two-run homer of its own, the Bengals responded with six runs in the bottom of the second inning.  Monson served as a catalyst in that inning, driving in a run then scoring on a two-run double by Mallory Little (Opelousas, LA, Opelousas Catholic HS).
 
Monson third and final hit would score the final run of the game with a single to plate Kelci Bodin (New Iberia, LA, Loreauville HS) in the third.  Little would chip in a three-hit game while Lele Martinez (Scott, LA, Acadiana HS) provide a pair of hits, two runs scored and a RBI.
 
Heather Zumo (Baton Rouge, LA, Central HS) stayed perfect on the season with three innings of work, giving up two earned runs off two hits and one walk.  The sophomore also struck out two batters.  Lauren Parson (DeRidder, LA, DeRidder HS) provided two innings of shutout relief.
 
Wallace State CC – L, 0-1
Three errors proved costly as LSUE dropped a 1-0 pitching duel to Wallace State.  The Bengals had an opportunity to send the game to extras or win but Hannah Smith's drive to left center was caught to leave a base runner stranded at third.
 
Wallace State scored the only run of the game in the sixth inning after back-to-back singles to start the at bat.  An error advanced the runners and another would help Wallace State plate a run.  The Bengals would escape the inning with the bases loaded and one out.
 
LSUE did not manage its first hit of the game until the seventh inning, when Mallory Little led off with a single to left field.  After two fly outs, Hannah Carpenter (Friendswood, TX, Friendswood HS) kept hope alive with a pinch hit single to put the tying run at third.  Smith's line drive would end the game.
 
Jensen Howell (Alexandria, LA, Holy Savior Menard HS) was tagged with the tough luck loss, going the distance while striking out eight batters.  Howell (5-2) gave up the one earned run off three hits and four walks.
 
Meagan Schwieterman picked up the complete game shutout, scattering two hits while striking out four.