WESSON, Ms. – An up-and-down day produces the ultimate result LSU Eunice Softball hoped for after the Bengals advanced to their Region 23 Bracket Finals following a Saturday split.  LSUE (42-13) will need to defeat Copiah-Lincoln twice on Sunday to secure an automatic berth into the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
 
A few uncharacteristic mistakes snowballed as the Bengals fell 15-0 to Copiah-Lincoln before rallying with a 2-1 win over Northeast Mississippi CC.
 
LSUE and Copiah-Lincoln meet at 2:00PM on Sunday.  A Bengals victory would force an if-necessary game later in the day.
 
Game 1 vs. Copiah-Lincoln CC – L, 0-15
If something could go wrong, it did, as LSU Eunice fell 15-0 to Copiah-Lincoln to start the day. 
 
The Bengals were within striking distance the first two innings before a shallow fly ball to right field changed the complexion of the game.  The two-out RBI single allowed Copiah-Lincoln to keep the inning alive, resulting in a three-run home run.  The big shot was one of three home runs by the Wolfpack, including a fourth inning grand slam.
 
Miscues came back to hurt LSU Eunice's chances to get back into the game as 7 of Copiah-Lincoln's 15 runs were unearned.
 
Reagan Rios (Longview, TX, Longview HS) was tagged with the loss with four LSUE pitchers seeing time in the circle.
 
The Bengals managed four hits against the CLCC tandem of Cara Biswell and Emily Richarde.
 
Game 2 vs. Northeast Mississippi CC – W, 2-1
LSU Eunice used early offense and a Reagan Rios gem to eliminate Northeast Mississippi CC 2-1 on Saturday.  The victory helped the Bengals advance to the bracket finals against Copiah-Lincoln on Sunday.
 
The two teams traded runs in the first inning as the Tigers used a sacrifice grounder before Kate Rills (Gonzales, LA, East Ascension HS) laid down a bunt single to score Sara Roussel (Luling, LA, Hahnville HS).
 
Katie Salling (Baton Rouge, LA, Parkview Baptist HS) provided the game winning run in the third inning with a line drive to score Roussel.
 
That would be all the offense Reagan Rios needed as the freshman tossed another seven-inning complete game.  Rios gave up the one earned run while scattering two hits and five walks.  She would strike out nine batters in the win.