The seventh-ranked McLennan Softball picked up a pair of wins over LSU-Eunice, the 13th-ranked squad in NJCCA Division II, on the Cajun Prairie in Louisiana.
McLennan got the 10-2 run-rule victory in the opener with Hailey Hudson picking up the win in the circle.
McLennan scored five runs in the top of the second. Hudson drew a lead-off walk, and Julia Herzinger followed with a two run homer. Jalie Neff then doubled, advanced to third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Maddie Saven. Caitlin Bradley-Tse singled and advanced to second on an error. Ka'Lyn Watson and Caitlyn Wong both walked, loading the bases. Erin Plunkett then singled to score Bradley-Tse and Watson.
LSU-Eunice's first run came in the bottom of the third. Abby Touchet singled and was replace by pinch runner Janey Cheramie. Cheramie then stole second and came around to score on a passed ball.
Madison Prejean's solo home run in the fourth gave the Bengals their second run.
McLennan sealed the run rule with five runs in the top of the fifth. Saven singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bradley-Tse. Watson singled and Sidney Campion walked, loading the bases. Wong singled to score Saven, and Hudson followed with the grand slam.
Four McLennan runs scored in the top of the first. Plunkett drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Neff reached on an error, bringing Plunkett in to score. Wong singled and Riley Rutherford followed with a fielder's choice, putting Neff out at third. Jenny Robison singled to score Wong, and Campion singled to score Rutherford.
McLennan continue to dominate in game two, winning 18-4 in five innings. Anissa Arredondo got the win in the circle.
LSU-Eunice scored one in the bottom of the first as Mari Baldwin doubled, advanced to third on a ground out by Maddie Leal and scored on a ground out by Prejean.
McLennan exploded for nine runs in the second. Bradley-Tse walked and scored on a double by Plunkett. Neff then singled to score Plunkett. Wong followed with a two-run homer. Rutherford triple and scored on a double by Herzinger. Campion doubled and Saven walked, loading the bases. Plunkett followed with the grand slam.
The Bengals added two runs in the third. Prejean and Madison Diaville both singled. Pinch Hitter Emily Hoover then singled to score Prejean, and Jessi Carey singled to score Diaville.
Another LSU-Eunice run scored in the fourth as Baldwin walked, stole second, moved to third on a ground out by Lal and scored on a single by Prejean.
Five McLennan runs scored in the fifth. Riley Rutherford led off with a solo home run. Herzinger drew a walk and Robison reached on an error. Riley Todd singled to score Herzinger, and Plunkett singled to score Robison. Neff followed with a double, scoring Todd and Plunkett.
The two teams will complete the four-game series with a noon doubleheader Saturday.
McLennan 10, LSU-Eunice 2
McLennan 050 05 – 10 11 0
LSU-Eunice 001 10 – 2 2 3
Hailey Hudson, Matie Wolkow (2), Hudson (3), Wolkow (4), Hudson (5) and Julia Herzinger. Chloe Bennett and Abby Touchet. WP: Hudson; LP: Bennett. Leading hitters – McLennan: Caitlyn Wong (1-2, RBI), Erin Plunkett (2-4, 3 RBI), Hailey Hudson (2-3, HR, 4 RBI), Julia Herzinger (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Jalie Neff (2-3, 2B) and Maddie Saven (1-2, RBI); LSU-Eunice: Madison Prejean (1-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 29-4 (11-1).
McLennan 18, LSU-Eunice 4
McLennan 490 05 – 18 16 0
LSU-Eunice 102 1 – 4 10 3
Anissa Arredondo, Abigail Ramirez (4) and Riley Rutherford. Cendall Barton, Emma Shepherd (2) and Lauren Adams. WP: Arredondo; LP: Barton. Leading hitters – McLennan: Erin Plunkett (2-4, 2B, HR, 6 RBI), Jalie Neff (2-5, 2B, 3 RBI), Caitlyn Wong (2-2, HR, 2 RBI), Riley Rutherford (2-4, 3B, HR, RBI), Julia Herzinger (1-2, 2B, RBI), Jenny Robison (1-4, RBI), Sidney Campion (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI), and Riley Todd (1-1, RBI); LSU-Eunice: Madison Prejean (2-3, 2 RBI), Madison Diaville (3-3, 2B), Mari Baldwin (1-2, 2B), Emily Hoover (1-2, RBI), Jessi Carey (2-2, RBI) and Janey Cheramie (1-3). Record: McLennan 30-4 (11-1).
