EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice used solid defense and pitching to split a pair of games on Saturday with LSU Alexandria at Lady Bengal Field. The Bengals (1-1) dropped the first game, 6-3, followed by a 3-2 victory to close out the afternoon.
Maddie Leal (Houston, TX, Spring HS) and
Olivia Hennen (Choudrant, LA, Choudrant HS) paced the Bengals' offense, combining for eight of the team's 16 hits, driving in three runs.
The 16th ranked Bengals hit the road for the first time this season for a Top 20 Sunday showdown with number three Copiah-Lincoln. The doubleheader from Mississippi gets underway at 3:00PM.
Game One vs. LSU Alexandria – L, 3-6
A four-run inning from LSUA was too much for LSU Eunice to overcome as the Bengals' dropped their season opener, 6-3. LSU Eunice outhit LSUA, 9-6, led by multi-hit games from Madalynn Leal and
Gracie King (Winnsboro, LA, Franklin Parish HS).
LSUA was first to score with a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning bolstered by heavy winds out to right field. The Bengals would answer in the second inning as
Rylie Candella (Centerville, LA, Centerville HS) sacrifice grounder plated Morgan Harlow.
The Generals would push ahead to a 6-1 lead after plating four runs in the third inning off three hits, two errors and a walk. LSUE had a chance to get out unscathed with the bases loaded but a fielding error an a double play attempt allowed two Generals to score.
LSUE would have opportunities to get back into the game, collecting at least a hit in their final four at bats but would only cross two more runs.
Game Two vs. LSU Alexandria – W, 3-2
Critical hits early and a six-inning gem from
Sydnei Simon (Rayne, LA, Notre Dame HS) secure a Saturday split with LSUA as the Bengals took down the Generals, 3-2.
Olivia Hennen provided a big boost with a two-run home run in the second inning, part of a perfect 3-for-3 outing. LSUA would match in its next at bat with a two-run home run of its own.
Madalynn Leal drove in the game winning run in the bottom half of the third, doubling home Sydnei Simon.
The defense and pitching from Simon would do the rest. LSUE would get out of a bases loaded jam as Simon would induce a double play on a chopper to the pitching circle. Simon picked up her first win of the season as the Notre Dame HS product went six innings, giving up two unearned runs off seven hits and two walks while striking out a pair.
Cendall Barton (Elmer, LA, Alexandria Senior HS) was credited with the save after throwing the final inning, not allowing a hit and issuing one walk.
