EUNICE, La. – The second-ranked Bengals softball team clicked in all facets during a doubleheader sweep of Baton Rouge CC on Sunday at Lady Bengal Field. The wins helped LSUE (40-6) reach the 40-win plateau for the 11th straight season under head coach Andy Lee.
The dynamic duo of Heather Zumo and Jensen Howell limited the Bears to just two hits in two games as LSUE notched a pair of shutout wins. LSUE struck for six early runs in Game One on its way to an 11-0 victory, followed by an 8-0 showing in the finale. The Bengals ran wild on the basepaths, collecting 18 stolen bases including five from Sara Tate.
It's the second time this year LSUE shutout an opponent twice in a doubleheader (March 13 vs. Shawnee CC).
LSUE and BRCC will meet again on Wednesday in the Capital City. The April 17 doubleheader is scheduled for a 3:00PM from Oak Villa Sports Complex.
Game 1 vs. Baton Rouge CC – W, 11-0
LSU Eunice roared early with six first-inning runs on the road to an 11-0 mercy-rule victory in five innings.
Lexi-Jo DeBarge broke the game open with a two-out, bases loaded three-run double to give LSUE a 4-0 lead in the opening frame. Kelci Bodin would push two more across with a liner to right to end six-run first. Mallory Little started the action with a sacrifice fly to plate Sara Tate.
That was more than enough for another solid day of work in the circle by Heather Zumo. The sophomore limited BRCC to just one hit in four innings, striking out six batters. Zumo (15-2) retired the side in order three of the four innings with Jeanne Trahan providing an inning of relief.
After LSUE scored another run In the second thanks to two BRCC errors, the Bengals pieced together three straight run scoring hits from Heather Carpenter, Hannah Smith and Rylie Candella to cap off a four-run third inning.
Smith joined Sara Tate as the lone Bengals to have multi-hit games
Game 2 vs. Baton Rouge CC –W, 8-0
Jensen Howell tossed a season's best tying 13 strikeouts to pace LSUE towards an 8-0 Game Two victory over Baton Rouge CC. Howell picked up her 16th win (16-3) of the season after giving up just one hit over five innings.
Howell sat down the side in order twice and allowed just two base runners to reach second base.
LSUE capitalized on BRCC mistakes early with Sara Tate scoring the first run of the game after a hit by pitch, two stolen bases and an error at third base. Tate has three of the Bengals' 12 stolen bases on the game, joining Hannah Smith with three swipes.
The Bengals added two more runs in the second off another one of five Bears errors, coming home off an errant pick-off throw from the catcher. LSUE would push the lead to 6-0 in the fourth after Rylie Candella scored on a passed ball as well as run scoring singles to left by Kelci Bodin and Hannah Smith.
Smith would add another RBI in the sixth on a single to centerfield, followed by Abbey Higginbotham's walk-off sacrifice fly to plate Madison Monson.
Smith went a perfect 3-for-3 on the day while Tate, Monson and Abby Trahan each scored twice.
Karli Ortego closed out the game for LSUE with an inning of relief.
