YOUNGSVILLE, La. – A pair of five-run frames were too much for LSU Eunice softball as McLennan CC secured an 11-3 season opening win on Friday at the Youngsville Sports Complex.  The Bengals (0-1) fell to 9-5 all-time in season openers.
 
Fresh off a 16-run output in its previous game, the Highlassies continued their hot hitting ways with the first five batters reaching base, including a pair of home runs to take a 5-0 lead.  The Bengals would answer in the bottom half of the inning as Mallory Little's (Opelousas, LA, Opelousas Catholic HS) deep fly ball to center field was misplayed, allowing Olivia Hennen (Choudrant, LA, Choudrant HS) to score. 
 
The two teams would trade a pair of scoreless frames before the McLennan bats would strike again six hits and five runs including Sophie Wideman's second home run of the day.
 
LSUE seemed primed to answer with a big inning of its own with the first three batters reaching to load the baeses.  Kennedy Smith (Rayne, LA, Notre Dame HS) would drive in a run off by beating out a slow roller to the right of the mound to make it 10-2 McLennan.  The Bengals threat would be squashed after two strikeouts and a fielder's choice.
 
Sydnei Simon (Rayne, LA, Notre Dame HS) and Gracie King (Winnsboro, LA, Franklin Parish HS) led the Bengals' nine-hit attack with a pair of hits in their LSUE debut.
 
A Lindsey Evans solo home run in the sixth inning would trigger the run-rule victory for the Highlassies.
 
Karli Ortego (Pine Prairie, LA, Pine Prairie HS) (L, 0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up nine earned runs off 12 hits.  The sophomore struck out a pair of batters and did not issue a walk.  Sydnei Simon pitched 2.2 innings of relief.
 
The Bengals will look to bounce back with a pair of games against Snead State CC and Iowa Western CC starting at 3:30PM.