May 8, 2008

Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas-- McNeese State's softball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southland Conference Tournament here Thursday with a 5-4 win over Southeastern La. in the opening game of the tournament.

Freshman Molly Guidry's game winning RBI single down the left field line scored senior Megan Beard for the winning run. After Holly Long led the inning off with a ground out to third, Beard reached on an error. Rachel King followed Beard with a single, advancing Beard to second. Beard then advanced to third on another SE La. error, setting up Guidry's game winning hit.

McNeese took a 1-0 lead in the third on a RBI single by Beard that scored Lindsey Langner who advanced to first on a walk. The Cowgirls extended its lead to 4-0 in the fourth with three runs on three hits. After a single and a stolen base by Guidry, Whitney Corbello singled up the middle, scoring Guidry for the 2-0 lead. Tiffany Ritchie was hit by a pitch and Lindsey Langner walked to load the bases. A two RBI single by Jenny Clay scored Ritchie and Corbello to give the Cowgirls the 4-0 lead.

Southeastern La. came back to tie the game 4-4 in the sixth with four runs on three hits and a Cowgirl error.

Guidry led the Cowgirls at the plate with a 3 for 3 appearance including a double, the game winning RBI and scored a run. Clay was 2 for 3 with two RBI's. Bethan Stefinsky improved to 9-12 on the year with the complete game victory. Stefinsky struck out six and allowed five hits and walked three.

McNeese (23-35) advances to face Stephen F. Austin (33-23, 18-11) and the tournament's fourth seed at 4 p.m. today.

Stephen F. Austin defeated McNeese State in the regular season series 2-1 in Lake Charles in mid March.