No. 7 Pearl River splits ranked showdown with No. 13 LSU Eunice

EUNICE, La. (THN News) — The No. 7 Pearl River softball team hit the road Sunday for a top-15 showdown with No. 13 LSU Eunice. The Wildcats dropped a hard-fought opener, 3-2 in extra innings, before responding with an emphatic 8-4 win in the nightcap to earn the split.

"This is the first time we've been on the road and had to play someone at their house," head coach Christie Meeks said. "It was a great learning experience against a really good team fighting on its home field, and I'm proud of how we responded after an emotional game."

GAME ONE

A pitcher's duel defined the opening three innings as Teegan DeWitt (Pass Christian; Hancock) matched the LSU Eunice (10-3 overall) pitcher pitch for pitch. Pearl River (8-2) struck first in the fourth inning after Addy Grace Alexander (Poplarville) led off the frame with a single and later scored on a Shania Fondren (Batesville; South Panola) RBI single.

Eunice responded immediately in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single to tie the game, 1-1. Both teams put runners on in the fifth but were turned away by stellar pitching.

Pearl River regained the lead in the sixth as Zion Seals (Shannon; Nettleton) singled with two outs and advanced to second on a fielding error by the Bengal left fielder. Taylor Foster (Petal) followed with an RBI single to left-center field to make it 2-1.

The Bengals answered quickly, retying the game within the first two batters of the bottom half of the inning. Both teams went quietly in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings with Pearl River hitting first in the top of the eighth.

Despite placing two runners in scoring position, the Wildcats were unable to break through. LSUE then loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning before walking off with a 3-2 win.

GAME TWO

Pearl River wasted no time jumping out to an early lead in game two. Alexander singled to open the first inning and scored on a two-run home run by Fondren to make it 2-0.

Sophomore Ana Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph's) earned the start and worked around an error to keep the Bengals off the scoreboard in the opening frame.

The Wildcats added another run in the second as Seals led off with a single and moved to second on another Bengal defensive miscue. Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) drove her in with an RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 3-0.

The offensive surge continued in the third when Fondren launched her second home run of the game to make it 4-0. Jaycee Holifield (Laurel; Stringer Attendance Center) followed with a solo shot to left field, pushing the lead to 5-0.

Eunice answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, but Garcia limited the damage to keep Pearl River ahead, 5-3. The fourth and fifth innings passed quietly with neither team generating offense.

Pearl River plated two insurance runs in the sixth on an RBI single from Anastasia Acree (Mobile, Ala.; Alma Bryant) and a pinch-hit RBI single by Caroline Woodward (Gulfport), extending the lead to 7-3. The Bengals responded with a run of their own in the bottom half, trimming the deficit to 7-4.

The Wildcats added their final run in the top of the seventh. Laila Bullen (Wiggins; Stone County) entered as a courtesy runner after Maeli Ben (Conehatta; Newton County) was hit by a pitch. Bullen advanced to second and third following a Holifield single and a deep flyout by Erin Meadows (Greene County). Holifield then drew a throw while stealing second, allowing Bullen to steal home and make it 8-4.

Eunice threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but a clutch double play ended the rally and secured the 8-4 win and a doubleheader split for Pearl River.

LEADING THE WAY

Seals finished the day with two hits and scored three runs. She also drew two walks. Holifield was 5-for-8 with an RBI and a run scored. Goodman and Fondren each had three hits while Fondren led the team with four RBIs.

DeWitt tossed seven innings in her start, allowing two earned runs and striking out eight batters. Garcia threw a complete game, allowing two earned and striking out three.

NEXT UP

Pearl River returns to the field Tuesday, February 23, traveling to Wallace State - Hanceville.