After falling behind 7-0 after two innings, the Lady Cardinals battled back before dropping a 10-7 decision to the Cowgirls in the first of their three-game Southland Conference set.

"We fought hard and never quit," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "But you can't fall behind by seven runs early and expect to beat a good team like McNeese State."

Shannon Sain homered and drove in two runs for Lamar (22-21 overall, 12-7 Southland). Her two RBIs gave her 32 for the season, tying the record set by Tina Schulz last season.

Sable Hankins also had two hits and two RBIs for Lamar, while Sarah Ragsdale also had two hits.

Laura Napoli (16-13) started and took the loss, allowing seven hits and seven runs over two innings. Amie Cisneros came on in relief, allowing six hits and three runs in 3 2/3 innings. Lauren Dannelley pitched 1/3 of an inning of scoreless relief.

"Amie did a great job in relief," Bruder said. "They got two runs off of her in the sixth, but she gave us a chance to come back."

Lamar cut the McNeese State lead to 8-7 before the Cowgirls (31-18, 16-5) scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Lady Cardinals were aided by a pair of defensive gems that turned into double plays. Second baseman Casey Cromwell made a diving over-the-shoulder catch in the first inning to rob Bryanna Castro of a hit, then fired to shortstop Stephanie Meeuwsen to double off Taylor Schmidt at second base.

In the fifth inning, center fielder Jenna Holland hauled in a shallow fly ball before firing a strike to catcher Brynn Baca, who put the tag on Hailey Drew, who was trying to score. Holland's assist was her 21^st career outfield assist, extending her Lamar record.

"Those defensive plays were tremendous," Bruder said. "It's too bad they are overshadowed by the loss."

Holland also doubled, giving her 20 for her career as she moved past Candyce Carter into sole possession of the top spot on Lamar's all-time chart.

Vincent (12-5) started and earned the win, allowing six hits and six runs, all earned, in 4 2/3 innings. Rachel Smith picked up her first save with two innings of one-hit scoreless relief.

"We got to their top pitcher tonight," Bruder said. "Hopefully that gives us some confidence for Saturday."

The series concludes with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Saturday.

"We need to win at least one game on Saturday," Bruder said. However, we're aiming for two wins."

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