COLUMBUS, Ga. – LSU Eunice wrapped up its stay at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic with a championship game loss to Florida Southwestern State College, 14-4, on Sunday at the South Common Complex.  It's the Bengals' (23-5) best finish in the prestigious event since winning the tournament in 2014.
 
The Bucs showed why they are the top-ranked team in NJCAA Division I and undefeated on the season.  Florida Southwestern played five run innings in the first and fourth, outhitting the Bengals 14-4.  Haley Ellefson led the way for the Bucs with a three-hit, five-RBI game.
 
Hannah Smith (Lafayette, LA, Catholic-New Iberia HS) paced the Bengals offense with two hits and drove in all four of the Bengals' runs.  Smith singled home a run in the fourth, then doubled home three more in the fifth.
 
Heather Zumo (Baton Rouge, LA, Central HS) (9-2) was tagged with the loss after throwing two innings, giving up six earned runs on five hits and a walk.  Jensen Howell (Alexandria, LA, Holy Savior Menard HS) and Jeanne Trahan (Lake Charles, LA, Barbe HS) also pitched in relief for the Bengals.
 
Howell was the Bengals' representative on the NFCA Lead-Off Classic All-Tournament team.
 
LSUE will return home this Wednesday, March 13 for its first home games in 39 days.  The Bengals welcome Shawnee CC for the first of two doubleheaders, part of a 14-game homestand.  The games can be seen live on Bengals All-Access.