LSU Eunice Softball won in two very different ways to secure a doubleheader sweep on Monday against Kilgore College at Lady Bengal Field. It was LSUE’s (6-2) home opener for the 2023 regular season.
The Bengals used a dominant performance in the circle by Chloe Bennett and Emma Shepherd in the opener as the pitching duo twirled a combined perfect game in an 11-0 victory in five innings. LSUE would then turn to the offense in the nightcap, striking for 16 hits and using a 6-run sixth inning to take a 16-11 decision.
The heart of the LSUE lineup would lead the way offensively against the Rangers as the trio of Madison Prejean, Abby Touchet and Katie Salling would combine for 10 hits and 13 RBIs.
The Bengals will back on the Cajun Prairie this weekend for a split doubleheader on Saturday. LSUE will face off with Jones College at 2:00PM, followed by a 6:00PM nightcap against Bossier Parish CC.
Game 1 vs. Kilgore College – W, 11-0
The duo of Chloe Bennett and Emma Shepherd threw a combined perfect game as LSU Eunice cruised past Kilgore 11-0 in the doubleheader opener. It’s the third perfect game Bennett has had a hand in with the Bengals.
Bennett struck out the first six batters she faced, sitting down the side with punchouts three times. The Bengals’ ace totaled 10 strikeouts in the game, her third double digit strikeout performance of the early season.
Shepherd would preserve the historic outing with a spotless fifth inning, striking out a batter.
The offense would get a pair of big frames, plating six runs in the third inning. Katie Salling would get the scoring started with a two-out two RBI single. The Bengals would add three more runs on a pair of errors and a bases loaded walk.
LSUE added five more runs an inning later as Madison Prejean, Sina Ballew and Sara Roussel would all drive in runs. Ballew and Roussel would each drive in a pair of runs with a double and triple, respectively.
Game 2 vs. Kilgore College – W, 16-11
The Bengals would outslug the Rangers to close out their doubleheader, using six runs in the sixth inning to preserve a 16-11 victory.
LSUE found itself in an early hole as Kilgore struck for three runs in the top of the first. The Bengals punched right back, plating four in the opening frame. Maci Baldwin provided the big hit with a two-run double as the Bengals would record five consecutive hits to begin the game.
The two sides would go back and forth in the middle innings, combining for 14 runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
The Bengals found themselves trailing 11-10 going into the bottom of the sixth and would put the Rangers away for good. Madison Prejean helped LSUE regain the lead with a two-run single before Abby Touchet caused the Bengals’ bench to erupt with a towering three-run home run. Gracie Bailey would close the scoring with a bases loaded walk.
Chloe Bennett would grab the win, throwing the final two innings in relief. Bennett would strike out two batters while shutting down the Rangers’ offense.