Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern State
SFA Wraps Up NSU Invite With Two-Game Sweep
2/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 24, 2008
NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack softball team wrapped up an impressive weekend at the Northwestern State NSU Invitational by winning both its games on the final day of the tournament Sunday.
The Ladyjacks knocked off Siena and host team Northwestern State, marking the second win over each team for SFA, and improving the Ladyjacks' record to 9-3.
SFA came from behind with two runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-4 win over Siena in the first game Sunday.
The decisive bottom of the eighth began with Ashley Struchtemeyer being placed on second base. Monika Covington put down a bunt to sacrifice her over to third, then Kari Hugie won the game two batters later with a two-out home run to left field.
The Ladyjacks put up a run in the first when Kendal Harper tripled then scored on an error by the Siena catcher.
Siena tied the score with a run in the second, then SFA went ahead with a pair of runs in the third inning. Ashley Struchtemeyer rapped out a bases-loaded single to plate Harper and Lauren Luetge.
But Siena answered with two runs in the sixth, setting up Hugie's extra-inning walk-off homer.
Debra Boles started in the circle for SFA and worked four-and-a-third innings, before giving way to Covington in relief. Boles finished with one earned run on five hits and two strikeouts. Covington (5-1) allowed two earned runs on three hits through three-and-two-thirds innings to earn the win.
SFA wrapped up tournament action with an 8-3 victory over Northwestern State Sunday afternoon. The Ladyjacks opened with a four-run first inning and never looked back, cruising to a five-run verdict.
SFA banged out 12 hits, including five extra-base knocks, as the Ladyjacks recorded at least one base hit in six of seven innings. Harper notched the first extra-base hit, an RBI triple, in the Ladyjacks' big first inning, and would later add a double, as she went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in.
Struchtemeyer went 4-for-4 with a run scored and two more batted in, while Hugie finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Daley was 1-for-4 with three RBI and a fourth-inning homer.
Lauren Luetge (3-1) started and pitched all seven innings. She held the Demons to two earned runs on five hits and no walks with nine strikeouts.
SFA will open Southland Conference action Tuesday, when the Ladyjacks begin a three-game home series against Sam Houston State. The first game against the Bearkats is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday with a doubleheader, starting at 4 p.m., scheduled for Wednesday.
-- SFA --
