BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University (12-10, 1-1 SLC) snapped a 22-game losing streak to rival McNeese (12-11, 1-1 SLC) as it opened Southland Conference play Friday at the LU Softball Complex. While the Cardinals' rally came up short in game one, 6-5, but the Cardinals bounced back with a 7-0 in game two.
 
Jayne Sepulveda (three hits, RBI) and Cala Wilson (two hits, RBI) combined for five of LU's eight hits in game one. Veronica Harrison scored twice while she, Trinity Brandon, and Sicily Windham added an RBI. Madison Guidry (2.2 IP, five runs, six hits) took the loss while Emma Wardlaw (4.1 IP, four hits, three Ks) held the Cowgirls to one run in relief.
 
Harrison, Wilson (three RBI), and Brandon sparked LU in the second game with two hits each. Emma Wardlaw started for the Cardinals and earned the victory with three shutout innings allowing four hits. Mallory Pitre recorded the four-inning save giving up one hit and two walks.
 
 
Game 1 - McNeese 6, Lamar 5
 
Each side scored a run in the first on a two-out rally with Brandon singling in Harrison to tie the game.  McNeese retook the lead in the top of the second. LU placed two runners in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the frame only to have the rally end with a fly out to right.
 
The Cowgirls scored four runs over the next two innings to lead 6-1. In the fifth, the Cardinals scored twice from RBI singles by Harrison and Wilson. One inning later. Windham singled in Ava Blakely and would then score on an RBI knock by Sepulveda to close the gap, 6-5. In the bottom of the seventh, Brandon reached first on an error to represent the tying run, but Blakely grounded out to third to end the first game in McNeese's favor.
 
 
Game 2 - Lamar 7, McNeese 0
 
The Cardinals got their first lead of the day with four runs in the second. Brandon tripled to lead off and scored when Blakely reached on an error. A bases-loaded RBI single by Sepulveda made it 2-0 while both Wright and Kalie Amos scored on a wild pitch. McNeese threatened in the third with runners in scoring position, but Blakely caught a liner and doubled up the runner at second to end the inning.
 
Over the next three innings, Wilson drove in three runs as Big Red took a 7-0 lead after six innings. Pitre came in to pitch the fourth and held the Cowgirls to one walk for the next three innings. Although McNeese loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, the Cardinal defense kept the shutout intact recording the final out.

LU will look to claim its first series victory over the Cowgirls in the finale Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled to be delivered at noon.

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