LAKE CHARLES, La. — McNeese State used an RBI single and home run to walk off with a pair of one-run victories, 5-4 and 8-7, against UTSA on Saturday afternoon at Cowgirl Diamond.
Junior Caitlyn Ivy helped lead the offense with a combined 5-for-7 afternoon, including a career-high four hits in the opening game, while junior Ashley Kappler continued her hot streak with three hits and a season-high three RBIs in the nightcap.
In the opener, the Roadrunners (11-17, 7-7 SLC) battled back from two-run deficits on two separate occasions before Claire Terracina’s single plated pinch hitter Kelsey McClain for the win in the seventh.
Senior Danye Holmes erased the first deficit with a two-run double, which brought homw freshman Molly Fichtner and Kappler in the sixth.
An inning later, Holmes’ shot to second was mishandled by Katie Roux and that allowed two runs to score, which tied the contest at four before Terracina’s game-winner.
Freshman Katy Akins (1-2) suffered the loss out of the bullpen, allowing one run in one inning of work while Kayla Shepherd earned the complete-game win.
In the second game, UTSA built a 7-2 lead with runs in the third and fourth, a pair of marks in the fifth and a three-spot in the sixth.
Ivy’s second home run of the season gave the Roadrunners a 2-1 lead in the fourth before the Cowgirls (13-19, 7-7 SLC) tied things up in the bottom of the frame.
Kappler’s solo homer with one down in the fifth gave the lead back to UTSA.
Fichtner followed with a double to left and the Roadrunners scored on a pair of illegal pitches.
In the sixth, a sacrifice fly from senior Carrie Monroe and RBI hits by Kappler and Fichtner gave UTSA a five-run advantage.
However, McNeese roared back with five runs in the bottom of the panel to tie the score and finished of the sweep on Dani Price’s long ball in the seventh.
Senior Emily Humpal (4-1) took the loss in relief, while Kayla Shepherd (8-10) notched her second win of the day.
The two teams will square off in the series finale at noon on Sunday.
