Stephen F. Austin
Mcneese State
McNeese Sweeps Ladyjacks
4/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 2, 2011
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - McNeese State outhit Stephen F. Austin, 15-5, to sweep both games in a series-opening doubleheader Saturday at SFA Field. The Cowgirls took an early lead then held on for a 5-2 win in the opener, then got a run-rule-shortened 8-0 shutout in Game 2 to lock up the series win.
Saturday's action moved SFA to 8-24 on the year and 4-10 in Southland Conference play. The Cowgirls improved to 17-20 overall with a 9-8 mark in league action.
The Ladyjacks, who had not played since a loss at ULM 10 days earlier, got out to a slow start with just two hits through the first five innings in Game 1.
SFA trailed 3-0 after McNeese State put up two runs in the second and another in the third. An RBI single by Claire Terracina and an illegal pitch brought the runs across in the second. In the third, the Cowboys led off with consecutive infield singles, followed by a fielder's choice that left runners at the corners and one out. Alanna Divittorio then came through with a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-0 game.
SFA starter Monika Covington held McNeese off the board in the fourth and fifth, but the Cowgirls put up two unearned runs after a misplayed throw on a bunt with two outs extended the inning. Mykeisha Young was the beneficiary of the error and would eventually score on a double by Dani Price. Terracina also came home on the play, but Price was cut down at third trying to stretch the hit to a triple.
SFA got on the board with a three-hit bottom half. Amber Price led off with a single through the left side. Lauren Luetge then reached on a fielder's choice and Elizabeth Arana followed with a double down the left field line. Two at-bats later Jessica Arana came through with a two-out double over the center fielder's head to score both runners.
But McNeese got out of the inning on a ground ball, and SFA couldn't get a runner aboard in the bottom of the seventh.
Jessica Arana finished 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Ladyjacks at the plate. Liles, Price and Elizabeth Arana each hit safely once.
Covington (3-14) took the loss in seven innings of work. She allowed three earned runs on seven hits with four walks, yet failed to record a strikeout for the first time this season.
McNeese State's Megan Bond tossed a no-hitter in Game 2, as SFA committed four errors in a five-inning 8-0 decision.
The Cowgirls got an RBI single from Molly Guidry in the first inning, then scored four unearned runs on four hits and an error in the top of the second to take a 5-0 lead.
McNeese would add a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded groundout by Stacey Conley, then the Cowgirls sealed the eight-run verdict with two unearned runs in a fifth inning that saw three SFA errors.
Ladyjack starter Carlie Thomas (5-8) allowed just two unearned runs on eight hits with seven walks. She struck out three in five innings of work.
The Ladyjacks and Cowgirls will conclude the weekend series Sunday with a single game starting at noon.
-- SFA --
