EUNICE, La – LSU Eunice Softball took two games from San Jacinto in very different ways during a Saturday doubleheader at Lady Bengal Field. LSUE (23-9) was able to secure its third win over nationally ranked Division I teams this week alone and its sixth victory against NJCAA ranked teams this year.
LSUE rode the wave of another dominant effort in the circle by
Chloe Bennett (Rosepine, LA, Rosepine HS) for a 5-0 decision to start the twinbill, followed by a dramatic 9-6 come from behind victory in the second game.
The Bengals venture to Texas for the start of the Spring Break week as LSUE takes on Tyler JC for a single game on Monday at 3:00PM. LSUE then heads to Athens, Texas to battle Trinity Valley CC and Western Nebraska CC for a 1:00PM doubleheader.
Game 1 vs. San Jacinto College – W, 5-0
LSU Eunice used another strong effort in the circle by Chloe Bennett to secure a 5-0 win to open the doubleheader against San Jacinto College.
It did not seem like things could go LSU Eunice's way early. Chloe Bennett allowed a single, walk and error to start the game and give San Jacinto a bases loaded opportunity out of the gate. Bennett would show why she is the nation's top strikeout pitcher as she would punch out the next three Ravens batters she faced.
LSUE would turn that momentum into runs on the board as
Sara Roussel (Luling, LA, Hahnville HS) would play a big role in the Bengals' offense. The freshman manufactured the first run of the game, grounding out to score
Maci Baldwin (Moss Bluff, LA, Sam Houston HS) in the first inning.
It was smooth sailing for Bennett from there as only one San Jacinto base runner would reach scoring position the rest of the game. Bennett would hurl her ninth complete game of the season, giving up four hits while issuing one walk. She would end up tallying eight strikeouts for the game.
The Bengals would break the game open with a three-run third inning. Roussel slapped a line drive to left center, allowing Maci Baldwin and
Mari Baldwin (Moss Bluff, LA, Sam Houston HS) to come into score. Roussel would advance to third on a San Jacinto error and later score on a
Madison Prejean (Lafayette, LA, St. Thomas More HS) sacrifice grounder.
Prejean would score on a sixth inning passed ball to end the LSUE scoring.
Game 2 vs. San Jacinto College – W, 9-6
It was a comeback to remember for LSUE as the Bengals would score eight unanswered runs late to take Game 2 over San Jacinto 9-6.
The Bengals found themselves in a 6-1 hole heading into the home half of the fifth inning after giving up four runs in the top of the frame. Maci Baldwin would jump start the Bengals with a one out triple to left center field and score a batter later as sister Maci Baldwin doubled her home. The Bengals would claw a run closer two batters later as Madison Prejean singled to score Baldwin.
Following a walk to load the bases,
Katie Salling (Opelousas, LA, Parkview Baptist HS) came through with a two run single to cut the deficit to 6-5.
Allie Bland would stand tall for the Bengals, shutting down the San Jacinto bats in the top of the sixth, working around a two out double. Bland captured the win for the Bengals after throwing 1.2 innings of relief.
That set the stage for another big inning by the Bengals as the Baldwin sisters would once again ignite LSUE. After both would reach on a walk and double, Sara Roussel gave LSUE the lead with a two-run single. Prejean and Salling would also drive in runs to give LSUE insurance runs.
Chloe Bennett picked up her third save of the season, leaving one runner on base before striking out the final batter of the game.
Prejean and Salling would each enjoy a three-hit game as they would be responsible for six total RBIs and three runs scored.
