EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice softball closed out the month of February in style with a doubleheader sweep of Louisiana College on Sunday at Lady Bengal Field. LSUE (13-6) has won 12 of its last 13 games, averaging just over 10 runs per game.
LSUE used a big third inning to take a 13-8 decision in Game One, while grinding out a 5-4 victory in the finale. The games were the first between the two programs since the 2011 season.
The top of the lineup –
Sydnei Simon (Rayne, LA, Notre Dame HS),
Maddie Leal (Houston, TX, Spring HS) and
Olivia Hennen (Choudrant, LA, Choudrant HS) – all collected three hits on the day to pace the Bengals' offense.
Game One vs. Louisiana College – W, 13-8
LSU Eunice struck for a six-run third inning and give enough cushion for the Bengals to score a 13-8 opening win over Louisiana College.
The two side went back and forth in the first with
Gracie King (Winnsboro, LA, Franklin Parish HS) answering the Wildcats' two runs in the opening inning with a two-run home run in LSUE's at bat. The home run was King's team and nation's best 9th of the season.
LSUE took the lead for good with three more runs in the second, highlighted by Maddie Leal's two-run single. The Bengals would jump ahead 11-3 in the third, scoring off four hits and two errors. Leal again provided the big hit with a two-run double.
Leal's four RBIs are a season's best for the freshman, with King and
Abbie Spring (Albany, LA, Albany HS) also producing multi RBI outings.
Kinsley Ashworth (Plainview, LA, Plainview HS) picked up the win after tossing three innings, giving up three runs off four hits and four walks.
Chloe Brouillette (Mansfield, LA, Stanley HS) and
Raegan Pilgreen (Ruston, LA, Quitman HS) both pitched two innings of relief.
Game Two vs. Louisiana College – W, 5-1
Raegan Pilgreen turned in a dominant performance to help lead LSU Eunice to a 5-1 victory over Louisiana College and secure the doubleheader sweep.
Pilgreen (3-0) gave up a run in the first inning but settled down to retire 14 of the next 16 batters she faced. The freshman gave up one earned run off three hits and a walk while inducing 12 fly outs and a pair of groundouts.
After Maddie Leal tied the game in the bottom of the first with a RBI single, Olivia Hennen gave LSUE the lead for good with RBI singles in the third and fifth inning. LSUE scratched three across in the fifth with Gracie King and
Abby Touchet (Shreveport, LA, C.E. Byrd HS) both sacrificing in runs.
Hennen joined Sydnei Simon with multi-hit games. LSUE also navigated the base paths with efficiency, stealing six bases.
