UNICE, La. – LSU Eunice kept the good times rolling on the Cajun Prairie with a Saturday doubleheader sweep of Galveston College. The wins kicked off a 22-game homestand for the Bengals (16-8).
LSU Eunice won a close 1-0 affair in the opener, followed by a 9-4 decision over the Whitecaps.
Ashlyn Roach (Calhoun, LA, West Ouachita HS) continued her recent tear, driving in the lone run of the game in the opener, followed by a three-hit performance in the nightcap.
The Bengals close out the weekend with No. 8 (DI) San Jacinto College at home on Sunday. The doubleheader is set for a 1:00PM start.
Game 1 vs. Galveston College – W, 1-0
LSU Eunice used a single run in the first inning to win a classic 1-0 pitching duel over Galveston to open the Saturday doubleheader. The two teams combined for just five hits in the contest.
It looked like LSUE was set for a big opening frame as the Bengals had the lead-off batter on after a misplayed fly ball to short center field.
Maci Baldwin (Moss Bluff, LA, Sam Houston HS) would try to steal third base, and round for home after an errant throw. Baldwin was tagged out at home. A few pitches later,
Madison Diaville (Livingston, LA, Doyle HS) laced a double to the wall.
She would come home a batter later as Ashlyn Roach singled to right field for the lone run of the game. LSUE would leave two runners in scoring position the rest of the game.
The run was enough for
Chloe Bennett (Rosepine, LA, Rosepine HS), who again, dominated in a home performance. The freshman gave up her first hit at Lady Bengal Field in the fourth inning and allowed just two Galveston base runners to reach scoring position. Bennett struck out six batters while not issuing a walk to improve to 9-3 on the season.
Game 2 vs. Galveston College – W, 9-4
A five-run sixth inning helped LSU Eunice land the big blow to score the Saturday sweep with a 9-4 victory.
After leading for most of the game, and a majority of the day's doubleheader, LSUE found itself with some sixth inning adversity after the Whitecaps tied the game with a pair of solo home runs in the top half of the inning.
That would wake up the LSUE bats as the Bengals roared back in the bottom half to squash the wave of momentum from Galveston. LSUE would get back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Maci Baldwin laced a two-run double to right field to help the Bengals regain the lead.
LSUE would tack on three more runs, as
Madison Prejean's (Lafayette, LA, St. Thomas More HS) fielder's choice was followed by a two-out, two-run double by Ashlyn Roach.
Chloe Bennett, who entered the game following the first of the two Galveston homers, sat down the side in order in the seventh to secure the win.
Emma Shepherd (Athens, LA, Claiborne Academy) received a no-decision after five solid innings of work, giving up just three hits and a walk.
The Bengals built a 4-2 lead early highlighted by
Maddie Leal (Houston, TX, Spring HS). The sophomore opened the scoring in the first with a RBI double and would break a 1-1 tie in the third with a solo home run. Leal went 2-for-3 on the day with two RBIs.
Ashlyn Roach led the LSUE offensive effort with a 3-for-4 game and a pair of RBIs, while
Emily Hoover (Hammond, LA, St. Thomas Aquinas HS) and
Abby Touchet (Shreveport, LA, C.E. Byrd HS) also produced multi-hit games.
