Cowgirls sweep doubleheader, clinch No. 1 tournament seed

Published 8:29 am Saturday, May 7, 2022

Special to the American Press

THIBODAUX — McNeese State clinched the No. 1 seed in next week’s Southland Conference softball tournament and at least share of the regular-season title Friday night with a doubleheader sweep over Nicholls State, taking the opening game 3-1 and the nightcap 7-0.

The Cowgirls (34-19, 14-3 SLC) can win the title outright with a win in today’s 1 p.m. regular-season finale or a Southeastern Louisiana loss to Northwestern State, who the Lions swept earlier Friday to remain one game behind the Cowgirls.

Freshman Crislyne Moreno led the Cowgirls on the day with four hits including a triple and two RBIs. Kendall Talley also had two RBIs along with three hits and three walks.

The Cowgirls got solid pitching from both Ashley Vallejo who picked up the Game 1 victory.  Vallejo tossed a four-hitter in the complete-game win in Game 2.