BEAUMONT, Texas – Laura Napoli became Lamar University's all-time strikeout leader Friday night, but the Cardinals dropped both ends of a Southland Conference doubleheader to the visiting McNeese Cowgirls by scores of 6-4 and 5-2.
 
Napoli struck out three in the opener to boost her career total to 271, surpassing the previous record of 269 held by Ciara Luna.
 
With the losses, LU (24-23 overall, 9-11 SLC) fell one game behind Sam Houston State for eighth place, and the final spot in next month's Southland Conference Tournament. The Bearkats split a doubleheader at Abilene Christian on Friday.
 
McNeese improved to 32-16 overall and 14-6 in the conference to maintain a share of the conference lead.
   
Kelly Meeuwsen became just the second Cardinal in program history to drive in 100 runs, but the Cardinals squandered a 3-0 led, allowing six runs over the final two innings.
 
Meeuwsen's 100^th RBI came in fine style, as she blasted a solo home run to right-center in the bottom of the fourth to give LU a 1-0 lead. Shelby Henderson homered to center two batters later to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. Meeuwsen added an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to make it 3-0 LU before the Cowgirls erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth.
 
Pinch hitter Brenique Wright had a two-run double to put the Cowgirls on the board before Carleigh Chaumont's two-run homer gave McNeese a 4-3 lead. LU tied it in the bottom of the sixth on a bases-loaded walk to Savana Guidry before the Cowgirls scored twice in the top of the seventh.
 
The Cardinals had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to score.
 
Napoli (12-12) took the loss, allowing 12 hits and six runs, all earned. She walked three and struck out three. McNeese starter Alexsandra Flores (15-7) picked up the win, allowing six hits and four runs, three earned, in six-plus innings. Amber Coons, who came on after Flores walked the leadoff batter in the seventh, pitched a scoreless inning for her first save.
 
Meeuwsen had two hits for LU, while Aubree Turbeville went 4-for-4 for McNeese.
   
Meeuwsen and Kendall Talley had two hits for the Cardinals, but the Cardinals couldn't dig themselves out of an early 4-0 hole.
 
McNeese scored once in the first, once in the second and twice in the third to build a 4-0 advantage before the Cardinals fought back with two in the fourth thanks to an RBI double by Henderson and a sacrifice fly by Elizabeth Castillo. The Cowgirls got a big insurance run when Erika Piancastelli hit her conference-leading 16^th home run of the year with one out in the sixth.
 
LU got a stellar relief effort from Julia Voluntad, who pitched a career-high 4 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and one run. Voluntad walked one and struck out three. Taylor Gruell (7-7) started and took the loss for LU, allowing four hits and two runs in 1 2/3 innings. Erin Kyle allowed two hits and two unearned runs in one inning of relief.
 
Ashley Koncir (5-1) pitched a complete game for McNeese, allowing eight hits and two runs.
 
ON DECK: The Cardinals and Cowgirls wrap up the three-game series at 3 p.m. Wednesday. LU is at Louisiana-Monroe for a non-conference doubleheader at 4 p.m. Wednesday before returning home to host Incarnate Word in a three-game SLC series next weekend. The Cardinals conclude the regular season with a three-game conference series at Nicholls set for May 4-5.
 
PROMOTIONS: Saturday is Hometown Heroes Day, with all first responders and active or former military personnel receiving free admission when they wear their uniform or present a valid ID at the ticket window. Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
 
TICKETS: For tickets to all LU home games, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The ticket window at the LU Softball Complex will open one hour prior to first pitch on game days. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members are admitted for free when they present their membership badge.