The Lady Colonels’ 7-0 loss to McNeese State University on Sunday hurt in more ways than one.Not only did the Lady Colonels lose the series to the Cowgirls, but their hopes for a return trip to the Southland Conference Tournament were also dashed at the same time.
The Lady Colonels split a doubleheader with the Cowgirls (25-32, 9-15 SLC) Saturday, winning the nightcap 6-1 after falling in game one 3-1.
Sunday’s game appeared as if it were going to be a classic pitcher’s duel as both Wagner and McNeese’s Jessica Denham combined to give up seven hits and strikeout 15 batters through six complete innings.
The only run of the game, up to that point, came via a solo home run by third baseman Tonya Edlund in the top of the fourth inning for a 1-0 McNeese advantage.
The seventh inning was a different story, however, as the McNeese bats came alive to the tune of six runs on four hits.
With one out and the bases loaded, Wagner walked catcher Jenny Clay to bring home the first McNeese run of the inning. Second baseman Nichole Edlund then hit a two-RBI double to right field, increasing the Cowgirls’ lead to 4-0.
At this point, freshman Jessica Barksdale was brought in to relieve Wagner. Barksdale struck out the first batter she faced before giving up three more runs.
When the dust had settled, McNeese had a commanding 7-0 lead, which was more than enough to secure the victory.
“We had enough rounds of seeing her (Wagner), and at the end I think she just ran out of gas,” McNeese head softball coach Christopher Malveaux said of his team’s scoring barrage in the seventh inning.
“I thought Nichole threw a great game,” Lady Colonel head softball coach Jenny Parsons said. “I probably should have taken her out, but it was Senior Day. It’s sad for the seniors. Hopefully next year we can come back.”
For the game, the Lady Colonels left seven runners on base, including a runner on third base in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
“It was just a mirror image of the first game Saturday,” Parsons said of her team’s inability to string together hits. “Jessica Denham threw a great game.”
Denham (10-17) earned the win for the Cowgirls, pitching a complete game four-hitter, fanning 10 Lady Colonels and walking two. Wagner was tagged with the loss. In 6.1 innings, she surrendered six runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Sunday was also Senior Day for the Lady Colonels. Participating in Senior Day activities were pitcher Nichole Wagner, first baseman Lindsay Coleman, catcher Janelle Sick, third baseman Alaina Vardell and right fielder Jamee Henry, who were all honored for their contributions to the Lady Colonel softball squad.
With her first year as a head coach in the books, Parsons said this past year was a learning experience for her.
“I was an assistant for eight or nine years,” Parsons said. “Being a head coach, doing all the tasks, I thought I did well along the way, but I still need to improve on some areas.”
Parsons said her team played well at certain points in the season, but at other times it did not beat teams it was capable of beating.
Parsons said she felt this year’s offense swung the bat with more success than any other Lady Colonel team she has been associated with.
“We had better power numbers this year than past,” she said. “The SLC is a hitting conference, and if you can’t hit for power, then you won’t be successful.”
Pitching wise, Parsons said Wagner, Barksdale and freshman Allyson May did what they were supposed to do on the mound as far as giving the team the opportunity to win.
With five signees for next year, Parsons believes there will be competition for positions. She also hopes to have more depth at both the pitcher and catcher positions.
