Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston State
SFA Softball Splits Doubleheader with Sam Houston State
2/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 27, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - After dropping the opening game of the doubleheader Wednesday afternoon, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack softball team responded with an impressive 7-0 victory over Southland Conference preseason favorite, Sam Houston State. The Ladyjacks took two-of-three in the series from SHSU, and improved to 11-4 (.733) on the season and 2-1 (.667) in conference play. The Bearkats dropped to 7-6 (.538) overall, 1-2 (.333) in league play.
The Ladyjacks dropped a 10-0 decision in the first game of the doubleheader, but bounced right back in the second game to overwhelm Sam Houston State. The Ladyjacks pushed across runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, and let freshman starter Monika Covington do the rest.
SFA scored its first run of the game when Kendall Harper singled to centerfield scoring Moriah Davis from second. After loading the bases, SHSU starter Brandi Crnkovic uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Benet Higgs to score.
The Ladyjacks other runs came by way of the long ball. Freshman Ashley Struchtemeyer hammered a Crnkovic pitch over the right field wall in the fourth inning, driving in two runs. It was Struchtemeyer's third home run of the season. Sophomore Briana Bishop added a three-run shot in the home half of the fifth to close out the scoring.
Covington continued her dominance on the mound. The Huffman, Texas, native, went the distance surrendering only two hits, and striking out six without giving up a walk. Covington improved to 7-1 (.875) on the season.
Bishop finished the game 1-for-2 with the home run, and three runs batted in, while Struchtemeyer was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Harper was the Ladyjacks most consistent offensive weapon going 4-for-6 on the day with run scored and an RBI.
The Ladyjacks return to action Friday when they travel to Oxford, Miss., for the Ole Miss Red and Blue Classic. The Ladyjacks will play three games during the three-day tournament.
-SFA-
