Stephen F. Austin
Jackson State
SFA Splits On Second Day At NSU Invite
2/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 23, 2008
NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack softball team won its third straight game Saturday and was on its way to a fourth consecutive victory before dropping a one-run decision in its fourth game at the Northwestern State NSU Invitational.
The two-game split moves SFA's record to 7-3 on the season, which each of the Ladyjacks' last three wins coming in fewer than seven innings, thanks to NCAA run-rule allowances.
In Game 1 on Saturday against host team Northwestern, freshman pitcher Monika Covington took a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning and went on to collect a run-rule-shortened 9-1 victory.
SFA drew first blood in the bottom of the first. Monica Hirsch doubled with one out to get things started, then moved to third on a ground-out. She scored on a passed ball to give the Ladyjacks a 1-0 victory.
After a bunt single to lead the game off for Northwestern, Covington retired the next nine batters in order, three by strikeout. Meanwhile, the Ladyjacks used three hits and a pair Demon errors to put up a four spot in the third inning. Malina Meng led off by reaching on an error, then Michele Huffman bunted for a single, moving Meng to second. They each advanced on stolen bases, then Benet Higgs drew a walk to load the sacks. Hirsch beat out an infield single to score pinch runner Candise Juarez. Kendal Harper reached base on a fielder's choice, then Jessica Tullos plated two runs with a single to left field. The next batter, Kim Daley, reached base on an error, and Harper scored to make it a 4-0 game.
Northwestern used a pair of hits and an error to score once in the fifth, but Covington got a strikeout to strand three runners. SFA answered with a run in the bottom half. Tullos singled and took second when the left fielder misplayed the ball. Pinch runner Crystal Garcia took third on a passed ball, then scored on an error.
The Ladyjacks sealed the win with three runs in the sixth inning. Ashley Struchtemeyer and Meng led off with back-to-back doubles to left field with Struchtemeyer scoring on Meng's hit. Huffman laid down a bunt single then stole second behind Meng, who advanced to third on the bunt. Each moved up a base on a ground-out by Moriah Davis, then Harper blasted an RBI triple to right-center, bringing home Huffman for the game-winning run.
SFA banged out 10 hits in the game, with Hirsch, Tullos and Huffman each hitting safely twice. Covington moved to 4-1 on the season after holding the Demons without an earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts.
The Ladyjacks scored a first-inning run and held a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh innings of their rematch with Jackson State, before a two-out rally gave the Tigers a 2-1 win in SFA's second game of the day.
Daley singled up the middle with two outs in the top of the first, then used a wild pitch followed by a passed ball to move to third. Tullos brought her home with a single to left field.
SFA failed to cross the plate again in the game, stranding six runners in all, but pitchers Debra Boles and Kari Hugie combined to hold the Tigers scoreless through the first six-and-two-thirds innings.
But after Hugie got a groundout and a strikeout to open the seventh, the Tigers used three straight hits - the third a two-run double - to collect the win.
Hugie (1-1) took the loss after allowing two earned runs on three hits in two-and-a-third innings of work. She recorded three strikeouts. Boles started the game and scattered five hits over four-and-a-third innings with three strikeouts before handing the ball over to Hugie.
In Friday's nightcap against Siena, the Ladyjacks fell behind by two runs early, then posted a furious eight-run rally and went on to take a 13-4 victory in five innings.
Siena pushed two runs across the plate in the bottom of the first to take the early lead, but the Ladyjacks pounded out five hits - including a home run by Tullos - and took advantage of two Siena errors to go ahead, 8-2. SFA batted around in the inning, and all but two Ladyjacks crossed the plate.
Luetge allowed just two more hits and two runs the rest of the way, and her teammates gave her plenty of insurance with two runs in the fourth on a homer by Daley and three more in the fifth on an inside-the-park home run by Harper - her second of the season.
For the game, SFA posted 11 hits, including a 3-for-4 performance by Harper. Tullos and Hugie each went 2-for-3 in the game. Luetge (2-1) finished with three earned runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
SFA will finish off its play in the NSU Invitational Sunday, when the Ladyjacks take on Siena and Northwestern State. The first game is set to begin at 9 a.m. with the second slated for a 3 p.m. start.
-- SFA --
