ALVIN, Tx. – LSU Eunice Softball saw its offense come to life in a big way, sweeping a pair of games at Alvin Community College on Saturday at Ruth Ryan Softball Field. It's the first time this season the Bengals (31-16) swept a doubleheader by run-rule victories. LSUE has eight mercy rule wins this season.
The Bengals used consistent attacks in both games, taking the pair by 10-0 and 13-4 margins in six innings.
Abby Touchet (Shreveport, LA, C.E. Byrd HS) paced the Bengal bats with six RBIs while
Mari Baldwin (Moss Bluff, LA, Sam Houston HS) went 6-for-8 on the day.
LSUE returns home this week for a pair of mid-week doubleheaders starting Tuesday against South Arkansas. Game time from Lady Bengal Field is set for 1:00PM.
Game 1 vs. Alvin Community College – W, 10-0
LSU Eunice used a strong offense effort and complete by Chloe Bennett to cruise past Alvin Community College, 10-0, to open the day's doubleheader.
The Bengals were quick out of the gate, scoring a pair of runs in the opening inning. LSUE used one of three Dolphin errors to plate their first run, followed by a RBI double by
Madison Prejean (Lafayette, LA, St. Thomas More HS).
LSUE would then grind out a majority of its runs the remainder of the game, using five sacrifice at bats to bring home runs. The Bengals would ensure the run rule in the sixth as
Sara Roussel (Luling, LA, Hahnville HS) singled home
Taylor Palmer (Zachary, LA, Zachary HS) before Abby Touchet unloaded on a bases loaded two RBI double.
Mari Baldwin paced the LSUE offense with a 3-for-4 game, scoring three runs. Touchet drove in three RBIs to lead the Bengals in the power department.
Maci Baldwin (Moss Bluff, LA, Sam Houston HS) stole two bases to break the LSUE career stolen base mark. Her 78 swipes surpassed Chaney Trahan who set the standard with 77 from 2010-11. Baldwin has 47 stolen bases on the season, currently ranked second in the nation and second in single-season LSUE history.
Chloe Bennett (Rosepine, LA, Rosepine HS) returned to form with a complete game shutout. Bennett gave up just two hits and one walk while fanning six batters.
Game 2 vs. Alvin Community College – W, 13-4
LSU Eunice continued its offensive showcase with another run-rule, taking down Alvin Community College 13-4 in a six-inning contest.
The Bengals scored in five of their six at bats including a pair of four-run frames to close the game. Abby Touchet began the scoring barrage in the first with a two-run double. Her bases loaded walk an inning later combined with a Maci Baldwin RBI double to push the LSUE advantage to 4-0.
It would be a 5-2 game when LSUE exploded in the fifth for four runs.
Maddie Chretien (Lake Charles, LA, Barbe HS) plated Madison Prejean to get the Bengals back on the scoreboard, followed by three straight run producing hits by
Gabrielle Huetter (Magnolia, TX, Magnolia HS), Maci Baldwin and Mari Baldwin.
That trio each enjoyed a three-hit game, combining for nine of the team's 13 hits.
Huetter and Mari Baldwin helped put the Dolphins to bed with four more runs in the sixth as Huetter drove in a run off a line drive single, followed by Baldwin's two run-double.
LSUE saw three different pitchers see action as
Emma Shepherd (Athens, LA, Claiborne Academy) grabbed the win. Shepherd hurled three innings, giving up two earned runs off five hits and two walks.
