EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice Softball's potential was on full display Friday as the Bengals secured a pair of mercy rule wins over San Jacinto at Lady Bengal Field. The Bengals (6-1) have won in run-rule fashion in three of their six wins in this early portion of the season.
The Bengals used a similar formula in both contests, piecing together big innings with impressive pitching performances. A four-run first inning helped spur a 12-4 five inning decision in game one, while a late surge and an
Erika Savage (Kingwood, TX, Kingwood Park HS) pitching gem did the job in a 9-0 finale.
LSU Eunice continues its weekend at home with a four-pack of games against No. 10 Kirkwood. The early season showdown of ranked NJCAA opponents begins Saturday with a 1:00PM doubleheader, followed by a Sunday twinbill beginning at noon.
Game 1 vs. San Jacinto College – W, 12-4 (Five Innings)
The Bengals offense clicked on all cylinders, leading the way in a 12-4 win over San Jacinto in five innings. LSUE would score multiple runs in four of the five innings played, starting with a four-run first inning.
The Bengals got right to work on the Ravens, loading the bases after back-to-back singles from
Mylie Elsensohn (Pearl River, LA, Pearl River HS) and
Makinzey Elisar (Prairieville, LA, St. Amant HS) as well as a
Payton Prince (Sulphur, LA, Sulphur HS) walk.
Ella Mabile (Pierre Part, LA, Assumption HS) drove home a pair of runs with a single down the right field side and
Kadyn Schenk (Kentwood, LA, Jewel Sumner HS) followed with a two-run, two-out base hit up the middle.
After a scoreless second inning, LSUE added three more manufactured runs off a
Karsyn Vadnais (Plaquemine, LA, St. John's HS) sacrifice, a passed ball and a bases loaded hit by pitch. Vadnais would put the Bengals in mercy rule range an inning later with a ground ball that produced one of three San Jacinto errors, allowing two runs to score and make it a 9-0 LSUE advantage.
The Ravens wouldn't go down without a fight, plating four runs in the fifth. LSUE would respond in the bottom half with three runs, capped off by run scoring base hits from
Amberly Dempster (Des Allemands, LA, Hahnville HS) and
Jordan Stanley (Houston, TX, Clear Lake HS).
Elisar and Schenk led the way offensive, each enjoying a three-hit game, part of the Bengals' 14-hit output. Schenk was joined by Mabile producing multiple RBIs.
In the circle,
Emily Rachal (Bossier City, LA, Airline HS)tossed 4.1 shutout innings to pick up her second win of the season. She worked around four hits while not issuing a walk.
Maleah Galvan (Blessing, TX, Tidehaven HS) and
Carlei Wheeler (Simsboro, LA, Simsboro HS) also saw action.
Game 2 vs. San Jacinto College – W, 9-0 (Six Innings)
Erika Savage tossed a complete game shut out and got late offensive fireworks during LSUE's 9-0 six inning mercy rule win over San Jacinto. It was Savage's second career shoutout, the first coming in LSUE's season opener one year ago against Kilgore College.
Savage was surgical against the San Jacinto lineup, giving up just two hits and one free pass. The Ravens would not have a base runner reach past first base while the sophomore pitcher sat San Jacinto down in order three separate times. She improved the 3-0 on the season with her fourth career complete game.
LSUE would get on the scoreboard in a big way with
Zoey Smith (Choudrant, LA, Choudrant HS) smashing a second inning solo home run to centerfield. Karsyn Vadnais extended the lead an inning later, singling home Jade Fisctzuir.
The Bengals would finally get within range of the mercy rule after a four-run fourth inning. LSUE took advantage of San Jacinto miscues, scoring off of three walks and three errors. Amberly Dempster would help LSUE walk off with the win in the sixth inning with a pinch hit three-run home run to straight away center.
