EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice used critical hits and clutch pitching in both games against Bossier Parish to score a twinbill sweep on Tuesday at Lady Bengal Field. The game pitted a pair of teams from Louisiana ranked in the most recent NJCAA polls.
The second-ranked Bengals (31-5) shutout number 18 Bossier Parish 3-0 in the twinbill opener, followed by a walk-off 5-4 victory.
LSU Eunice continues its season's best 14-game homestand with a Saturday doubleheader against Blinn College. Both games can be seen live on the Bengals All-Access starting at 12:00PM.
Game 1 vs. Bossier Parish – W, 3-0
Jensen Howell (Alexandria, LA, Holy Savior Menard HS) tossed her second complete game shutout of the season to deliver LSUE a 3-0 victory over Bossier Parish. Howell fanned a season-high 13 batters to keep the Cavalier bats at bay.
The sophomore scattered four hits and walked one to improve to 12-2 on the season. Howell did not allow a baserunner past second base as she retired the side in order three times.
BPCC's Dorrie Cormier went toe-to-toe with Howell for four innings before the Bengals finally turned the tide.
Hannah Smith (Lafayette, LA, Catholic-New Iberia HS) delivered a lead-off solo home run in the fourth to put LSUE on the board.
Kelci Bodin (New Iberia, LA, Loreauville HS) would pad the lead later in the frame with a two-out two-run single.
Abbey Higginbotham (Church Point, LA, Notre Dame HS) produced the lone multi-hit game for the Bengals.
Game 2 vs. Bossier Parish – W, 5-4
Madison Monson (Walker, LA, Walker HS) stroked a single just shy of a diving Bossier Parish outfielder to hand LSUE a walk-off 5-4 win in the Tuesday finale against Bossier Parish. It was Monson's team-best 31st RBI of the season.
Kelci Bodin scored the game winning run after reaching base with a lead-off walk in the seventh and stealing second base.
Monson and the Bengals had to rally after falling behind 3-1 in the fourth inning after a three-run frame for the Cavaliers. LSUE responded in the bottom of the frame with a RBI double from Jensen Howell, followed by
Kailey LeFrere (DeRidder, LA, DeRidder HS) reaching home safely after a failed pick-off attempt at third base.
Mallory Little (Opelousas, LA, Opelousas Catholic HS) would give LSUE the lead back momentarily, 4-3, after a run scoring double to plate Sara Tate. The Cavaliers knotted it back up again on a squeeze bunt in the seventh.
Heather Zumo (Baton Rouge, LA, Central HS) received a no-decision after a solid outing in the circle. Zumo threw 6.1 innings, giving up four runs off three hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. Jensen Howell (13-2) picked up the win after getting out of the seventh inning with a pair of outs.
