Tag: McNeese State Cowgirls

LSU softball remains unbeaten after taking Sunday doubleheader

The Tigers are 19-0 as they prepare for SEC play, which begins next weekend.

LSU softball’s hot start to the 2024 season continued over the weekend, moving to 19-0 after it capped things off with a Sunday doubleheader that featured a 2-1 win over McNeese and a 2-0 win over Louisiana Tech.

[autotag]Sydney Berzon[/autotag] was the star of the first game against the Cowgirls, as she tossed a complete game and allowed just one run, which came in the fifth and broke a 0-0 tie. LSU answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of RBI singles that gave it the decisive 2-1 lead.

In Game 2, it was a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning when [autotag]Maci Bergeron[/autotag] hit a two-RBI single, which resulted in the Tigers’ only runs of the game. [autotag]Kelley Lynch[/autotag] pitched a complete game shutout.

With the weekend series in the books, SEC play is now set to begin for the Tigers. First up will be a road series against Kentucky beginning on Friday.

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3 Stars from Oklahoma’s 5-0 weekend in the Cowgirl Challenge

The Oklahoma Sooners continued their record-winning streak in the Cowgirl Challenge and here are this weekend’s three stars.

The Oklahoma Sooners just completed a 5-0 weekend in Lake Charles, La. at the Cowgirl Challenge hosted by McNeese State.

Though the schedule may not have been as daunting as the week before, McNeese State and Central Arkansas were NCAA tournament teams in 2023 that represented themselves well in the regional. McNeese State nearly pulled off the upset to advance to the Super Regionals.

Against a couple of rising programs, the Sooners outscored the opposition 36-1 in the five games, earning a trio of run rules.

The pitching staff threw four shutouts as Patty Gasso and Jennifer Rocha went deep into their arsenal, utilizing six different pitchers during the weekend.

After another tremendous weekend in which the Sooners extended their winning streak to 62 games, and haven’t lost now in more than a year, here are the three stars and a few honorable mentions from the weekend.

Instant Analysis: LSU absolutely smokes McNeese in record-setting 89-point win

LSU finished with its most points scored and widest margin of victory in program history on Tuesday night.

Basketball games don’t get much more lopsided than LSU’s record-setting win over McNeese on Tuesday night.

The Tigers absolutely let loose on the Cowgirls, winning 133-44 as they scored the most points in program history in what was also LSU’s largest-ever margin of victory. The win also extends coach Kim Mulkey’s team’s win streak to 10 games.

LSU got off to a red-hot start, shooting 12 of 23 from the field in the first quarter as it jumped out to a 32-12 lead in the first 10 minutes thanks in large part to [autotag]Aneesah Morrow[/autotag], [autotag]Mikaylah Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag], who combined for 23 of those points.

Things didn’t get any better for McNeese in the second quarter. It was entirely blanked in the frame as LSU finished the half on an unbelievable 43-0 run to take a 62-12 lead to the locker room.

The Cowgirls turned the ball over 24 times in the first half, resulting in half (31) of the Tigers’ points.

While McNeese managed to end the scoring drought early in the third quarter, they couldn’t keep LSU’s lead from expanding as the Tigers put 100 points on the scoreboard before we even hit the final quarter.

LSU didn’t let up in the fourth quarter, adding 33 more points before the game mercifully came to an end.

Aalyah Del Rosario ultimately led the team with 27 points, followed closely behind by Williams with 26 points and 10 rebounds. [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] also notched a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards.

In addition to those three, Morrow (18 points), Johnson (16) and [autotag]Angelica Velez[/autotag] (10 points) also scored in double figures.

LSU finished the game shooting 57.7% from the field while it held McNeese under 30%. The Cowgirls had 36 total turnovers, and they were outrebounded 52-27.

After a confidence-building win, LSU will return to the court at the PMAC on Sunday for another in-state matchup against Northwestern State.

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Hailey Van Lith reportedly out for LSU vs. McNeese Tuesday night

Hailey Van Lith will miss her second straight game as she battles a foot injury.

LSU’s women’s basketball team is a colossal favorite heading into a Tuesday night home matchup against McNeese, but it will be without one of its top players.

According to a report from WAFB’s Jacques Doucet, [autotag]Hailey Van Lith[/autotag] will miss her second straight game as she deals with a foot injury. Van Lith also missed Sunday’s 83-53 win over Louisiana.

Junior guard [autotag]Last-Tear Poa[/autotag] is likely to make her fifth start of the year in this game after also starting in the win over the Ragin’ Cajuns.

A graduate transfer from Louisville, Van Lith has started all nine games that she has appeared in this season, averaging 12.2 points and leading the team with five assists per game.

The Tigers will hope she’s able to make her return against Northwestern State on Sunday.

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How to watch No. 7 LSU women’s basketball host McNeese on Tuesday night

The Tigers look to extend their winning streak to 10 as they play their second game in three days.

After an extended break, the LSU women’s basketball team will play its second game in three days on Tuesday night as it plays host to McNeese State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The seventh-ranked 9-1 Tigers won by 30 points against Louisiana in their last outing on Sunday, and now they’re playing host to another in-state opponent as coach Kim Mulkey’s team looks to extend its winning streak to 10 games.

The Cowgirls have had a rough start to the season. They sit at 3-6 and are yet to beat a Division I opponent. In their two matchups against ranked opponents this season, they lost 124-44 against No. 14 Baylor and 101-39 against No. 13 Kansas State, the latter being their most recent game.

LSU will hope for a similar result on Tuesday night. Here’s everything you need to know to watch.

No. 15 LSU softball upset by McNeese in road midweek contest

The Tigers fall to 34-11 after the 4-3 loss on Tuesday night.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – No. 15 LSU (34-11) was on the losing side of a 4-3 decision to McNeese (33-12) Tuesday night at Joe Miller Field.

Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon (12-4) received the loss Tuesday night where she threw three strikeouts and gave up one run on one hit. Her three strikeouts moved her into eighth place for strikeouts as a freshman in program history with 98 K’s this season.

Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen started the game and threw 4.0 innings where she tossed two strikeouts and allowed three runs on four hits.

Graduate infielder Karli Petty went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Junior infielders Raeleen Gutierrez and Taylor Pleasants both put together one-hit, one-RBI performances on the night.

McNeese pitcher Ashley Vallejo (13-7) earned the win Tuesday night. She struck out two batters and allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks.

The Tigers started fast by loading the bases with one out on a hit and two walks. From there, Petty, Gutierrez and Pleasants hit three consecutive RBI singles to bring home three runs in the top of the first inning.

The Cowgirls evened the score in the third, highlighted by a two-run homer from junior catcher Emily Phillips. Two innings later, McNeese took a 4-3 lead after crossing one run in the sixth stanza.

The Tigers were unable to plate another run in the seventh, dropping game two against McNeese, 4-3 to split the regular season series.

On Deck

Up next for LSU is a three-game series versus Mississippi State April 21-23 at Tiger Park.

Directly support LSU Softball by joining the Diamondbackers today!

For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the team on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball on Instagram and Twitter.

No. 12 LSU softball faces McNeese to conclude non-conference schedule

The Tigers will look to finish non-conference play on a high note.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.

BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 12/13 LSU (34-10) will have its final midweek game of the season to round out its non-conference schedule against McNeese (32-12) at 6 p.m. CT at Joe Miller Field in Lake Charles, La.

Tuesday’s game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Tom Hoefer and Ron Hayes on the call. Fans can hear Patrick Wright, the Voice of LSU Softball, on 107.3 FM in the Baton Rouge area.

The Tigers look to bounce back after falling in its three-game series at No. 21/24 Auburn last weekend, 2-1. LSU ranks No. 2 in the SEC with 358 hits and No. 3 in the league with a .312 batting average. The Tigers also have the third-lowest ERA at 1.97.

Junior infielder Danieca Coffey continues to lead the SEC with 59 hits and ranks No. 5 with a .418 batting average. Coffey also leads the Tigers with 34 runs scored and matches junior outfielder Ciara Briggs with a team-high nine stolen bases. Briggs has a .345 batting average, and her 49 hits ranks No. 6 in the SEC to go along with 32 runs scored.

Graduate infielder Georgia Clark is batting .305 with 36 hits and ranks No. 5 in the SEC with 32 walks. Clark has a team-high 10 home runs this season and adds 32 RBIs. Clark sits at No. 4 in LSU softball history with 40 career home runs, No. 3 with 121 career walks, and No. 10 with 151career RBIs.

Junior shortstop Taylor Pleasants is batting .324 this season with 41 RBIs (No. 7 in SEC) and has 36 hits, eight home runs and 25 runs scored. Pleasants ranks No. 5 in program history with 37 career home runs and No. 8 all-time with 159 career RBIs.

Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon (12-4) ranks No. 8 in the SEC with 95 strikeouts and has a 1.67 ERA in 100.1 innings pitched. Berzon’s 95 punch outs are the 9th most in program history from a freshman.

Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen is 10-5 in the circle and has a 2.26 ERA behind 86 strikeouts (No. 11 in the SEC). Kilponen has tossed 10 complete games with three shutouts and three saves in 96.0 innings pitched. Kilponen ranks No. 10 all-time in the program’s history with 54 career wins and her 448 career strikeouts ranks No. 9 in the program’s record book.

THE LINEUP

LSU is 52-12 all-time against McNeese, including a 6-2 win earlier this season on March 21 at Tiger Park. The Tigers have won 13 consecutive games against the Cowgirls and are 7-1 this season against teams from the state of Louisiana.

McNeese is on a six-game winning streak and boasts a 14-1 record at home. The Cowgirls most recently swept Nicholls State. McNeese is hitting .299 and has 329 hits this season. The Cowgirls’ pitching staff has a 2.04 ERA with 205 strikeouts and allows its opponents a .232 batting average.

Sophomore infielder Mariana Torres leads McNeese with a .336 batting average behind 38 hits and has a team-high of 10 doubles and 32 RBIs. Sophomore infielder Reese Reyna follows with a .331 average and senior outfielder Alayis Seneca is batting .328. Both have a team-high 39 hits. Reyna paces the team with 21 stolen bases and Seneca has 18 stolen bases.

Senior pitcher Whitney Tate (13-3) has a staff-low 1.49 ERA and has thrown 64 strikeouts while giving up 99 hits and 35 runs in 113.0 innings pitched. Junior pitcher Ashley Vallejo (12-7) has a 2.40 ERA but has a team-high 84 strikeouts in 90.1 innings pitched. Tate has thrown seven shutouts this season, while Vallejo has logged five shutouts.

ON DECK

LSU will host Mississippi State at Tiger Park April 22-24. Saturday, April 23 will be the annual Strikeout Ovarian Cancer Game when the SEC softball community unite, and all 13 teams participate by wearing teal for the “All for Alex” campaign to honor the legacy of Mississippi State’s Alex Wilcox.

Directly support LSU Softball by joining the Diamondbackers today!

For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the team on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball on Instagram and Twitter.

No. 12 LSU softball tops McNeese 6-2

The Tigers moved to 24-5 with the midweek win.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.

BATON ROUGE, La. – For the 12th time this season, No. 12/15 LSU eclipsed double-digit hits as they halted McNeese’s five-game winning streak with a 6-2 decision Tuesday night at Tiger Park.

“It felt better, it definitely felt better,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “It feels good to get back out there and just hit the ball hard and get their confidence back.”

LSU (24-5) recorded 12 hits in the game with eight of the nine players in the lineup registering at least one hit while the McNeese (19-10) pitching staff recorded only one strikeout on the night.

Junior infielder Danieca Coffey logged a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and hit her second triple in as many games to go along with a team-high two runs scored. Sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey and freshman catcher Maci Bergeron both were 2-for-3 in the batter’s box. Bergeron had one RBI on the night and junior outfielder Ciara Briggs led the team with two RBIs.

Sophomore pitcher Raelin Chaffin (3-1) earned the win Tuesday night while tossing two strikeouts and allowing two runs, five hits and no walks in her first complete game of the season.

McNeese State junior pitcher Whitney Tate (9-2) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks in 3.1 innings.

Coffey led off the game with a single back to the pitcher and would advance to second on a stolen base. Junior outfielder Ali Newland came to the dish and drove an RBI-single over the shortstop’s head to plate Coffey and get the home team on the board. After a single from graduate designated player Georgia Clark, graduate infielder Karli Petty drove in another run with an RBI-single of her own, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead after the opening inning.

McNeese responded with their first run of the game on an RBI-single from senior outfielder Alayis Seneca in the third inning, and senior catcher Kaylee Lopez hit a solo shot in the fourth to tie the game, 2-2.

The tie did not last long however as LSU put up four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Redoutey hit a one-out double to left field before Bergeron brought her home on an RBI-single down the left field line. Freshman infielder McKaela Walker and Coffey both singled to load the bases, setting up a two RBI-double by Briggs. The Cowgirls walked home another run to cap off a four-run inning for the Tigers to make the score, 6-2.

The offenses stalled as both teams went scoreless through the final three innings. Chaffin retired seven of the last nine batters of the game, securing the 6-2 victory for the Tigers.

On Deck

LSU will travel to Oxford, Miss. to take on Ole Miss in a three-game series on March 24-26.

Directly support LSU Softball by joining the Diamondbackers today!

For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the team on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball on Instagram and Twitter.