LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – After beating UT Arlington in their home opener on Thursday night, the McNeese Cowgirls returned home on Friday for two big-time matchups vs. sixth-ranked Tennessee.
Game one of the double-header started out in difficult fashion for the Cowgirls as the Lady Vols scored two in the third inning, Taylor Pannell with a single to second that scored Saviya Morgan for the games first run, and Kinsey Fiedler would later score on a McNeese error to put Tennessee ahead by two.
Tennessee’s Ella Dodge would add to the lead in the fourth with a two-run home run to right center field, the first of three Tennessee home runs in the game, Taylor Pannell with the second, a three-run shot in the sixth, following by Laura Mealer who hit a two-run shot in the sixth as well.
Tennessee would go onto beat McNeese 12-0 in game number one, run-ruling the Cowgirls in six innings.
The two teams regrouped, and took the field once again a short while later for the second game of the double-header. Game two started in similar fashion to game one, with a Tennessee early lead as the Lady Vols scored two in the first inning, both by stealing home.
McNeese would score their first run of the night in the second as Brylie Fontenot drew a bases loaded walk to score Jada Munoz from third, following by a Delaney Dunham fielders choice that scored Rylie Bouvier to cut the Tennessee lead to one.
However, after that Tennessee would add to their lead with three home runs between the fifth and sixth innings off the bats of Gabby Leach, Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge, ultimately leading to the Tennessee 10-2 win.
“We played a really good Tennessee team that pitched really well, and has one of the most dynamic offenses that I’ve seen in several years,” said McNeese Head Coach James Landreneau. “I thought (Kadence) Williams came out and gave us a couple of really good innings, especially as a freshman, but the second time through their order just gave her some problems, and like I said, credit to them they have a really good offense. Now, for us it’s about flushing out tonight’s games and refocusing for this weekend cause we still have three more games to play against some good competition.”
The Cowgirls will return to the field on Saturday for another double-header as part of the I-10 Border Classic as they’ll host Missouri State at 10:00 AM, and Nicholls at 3:00 PM.
