McNeese State opened softball season in style with a 7-2 win over Idaho State Friday on the first day of play of the Cowgirl Classic.

The Cowgirls beat Texas Southern in day’s final game, 6-1.

McNeese (2-0) scored four times in the first inning. Alayis Seneca and Chloe Gomez singled to lead off the game. Both scored on a double off the center-field wall by Jil Poullard. After Emily Phillips drew a walk, the Cowgirls executed a double steal with Poullard scoring. Phillips scored on an opposite-field single to right by Reese Reyna.

Idaho State (0-2) cut the deficit in half with a pair of third-inning runs. Alyssa Lee led off with a triple and scored on a double by Paige Simpson. Simpson scored on a single by Skyler Sethman.

The Cowgirls answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Crislyne Moreno led off with a walk and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Reyna to give McNeese a 5-2 lead.

The Cowgirls added two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Erin Ardoin reached on an error and scored on a triple by Seneca. Reese doubled to right to score Seneca.

Whitney Tate earned the win, pitching a complete game and striking out three. She allowed one baserunner — on an error — over the final four innings. That runner was erased on a double play. Tate retired the final 11 batters she faced, with one ball leaving the infield.

All three of Idaho State’s hits came in the third inning. Tate didn’t issue a walk.

Phillips, a transfer from James Madison, had a busy debut for the Cowgirls, reaching base in all three plate appearances with two walks and a single. She also stole two bases.

Seneca and Gomez each had two hits and drove in a run for the Cowgirls.

The Classic continues through Sunday. McNeese plays Texas Southern at 5:30 p.m. and Central Arkansas at 8 p.m. today. They will play Alabama-Birmingham at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Schedule

Friday

Central Arkansas 6, Alabama-Birmingham 3

Central Arkansas 2, Idaho St. 0

labama-Birmingham 8, Texas Southern 0, 8 innings

McNeese St. 7, Idaho St. 2

McNeese St. 6, Texas Southern 1

Saturday

Idaho St. vs. Alabama-Birmingham, 10 a.m.

Texas Southern vs. Idaho St., 12:30 p.m.

Alabama-Birmingham vs. Central Arkansas, 3 p.m.

Texas Southern vs. McNeese St., 5:30 p.m.

Central Arkansas vs. McNeese St., 8 p.m.

Sunday

Texas Southern vs. Idaho St., 10 a.m.

Alabama-Birmingham vs. McNeese St., 12:30 p.m.