EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice clawed out of a huge early hole only to be delivered a heartbreaking 7-6 loss in ten innings to Mississippi Gulf Coast in the opening round of the Region 23 Tournament.  The Bengals (34-21) will play an elimination game on Friday at 12:00PM against Northwest Mississippi.
 
The Bengals saw the Bulldogs throw up a five-spot in the opening frame, capitalizing on three hits, an error and four walks.
 
LSU Eunice would start the comeback beginning with Ashlyn Roach's solo home run in the second inning.  The Bengals would get within a run an inning later as Karli Fontenot and Rylie Candella drove in three runs combined on back-to-back at-bats.
 
After Maddie Leal singled home Katelyn Courville in the fourth inning to tie the game, Sydnei Simon would sacrifice in the go-ahead run.
 
After starter Cendall Barton was pulled in that opening frame, Kinsley Ashworth twirled her best outing to date.  The lefty tossed 7.2 frames, shutting out MGCCC until the seventh inning.  Ashworth racked up seven strikeouts while scattering four hits and three walks.
 
Gulf Coast would send it to extras in the seventh on a wild play.  K.K. Agner would pop up to the right of the batter's box near the netting.  The Bengals would collect the pop fly for the out, but heads up base running by a Bulldog at third would motor in to tie it again.
 
LSUE would have chances in the bottom of the seventh and in the ninth to walk-off with the win, but it was Briana Shores that would deliver a crushing solo home run in the tenth to put MGCCC back ahead. 
 
The Bengals would go down in order in the bottom half of the tenth inning.
 
Leal would lead the Bengals with a 3-for-4 game, driving in a run while Candella added a two-hit night.  Raegan Pilgreen was saddled with the loss despite two strong innings in relief, giving up the one critical run while striking out three batters with no walks.