Ladyjacks Face NCAA-Caliber Field
2/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2014
Tournament Central | Live Video ($)
Live Stats: SHSU | Army (Fri) | Army (Sat) | Nebraska | Houston
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin softball is headed to Houston this weekend for what is on paper the Ladyjacks’ most challenging nonconference tournament of the season. The Ladyjacks will face three NCAA Regional teams at this weekend’s Houston Hilton Plaza Classic.
The Ladyjacks (0-3) open the tournament at 9 a.m. Friday against fellow Southland Conference foe Sam Houston State. The Bearkats (0-1) fell to Texas A&M earlier this week in their season opener and were picked to finish third in the Southland this year.
SFA will face its first NCAA Regional team of the season when the Ladyjacks take on Army at 11 a.m. Friday. The Black Knights return seven starters from last year’s team that went to the Austin Regional and finished the year 35-26.
Saturday will feature two games against NCAA teams for the Ladyjacks with another matchup with Army at 9 a.m. After that, SFA will take on the No. 8/9 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska (3-1) advanced to the Women’s College World Series last season. The Huskers return all three pitchers from last year’s squad that went 45-16.
SFA closes the tournament against hosting Houston at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Cougars also were an NCAA Regional team a year ago, eliminating Army from the Austin Regional. It was Houston’s third straight trip to the postseason, and the Cougars welcome back senior and Conference USA Player of the Year Haley Outon. Houston makes its debut in the American Athletic Conference this year.
The Ladyjacks boast one of the top players in the Southland Conference in shortstop Elizabeth Arana. Last season she led the league in batting average in league play and was second in on base percentage.
In addition to Arana’s threat at the plate, SFA freshman Brittany Lewis opened her career strong last weekend at the CenturyLink Classic hosted by Texas State. Lewis went 5-for-9 to hit .556 the opening weekend and drove in. First baseman Shalie Day hit 3-for-9 and led the Ladyjacks with five RBI.
Fans can follow the action online with live results for each game linked on a tournament central page at uhcougars.com. Links will also be provided on SFA’s schedule page at sfajacks.com.
Tickets to single games are $8 to the general public and $5 for youths. Only cash is accepted at the facility for fans who do not purchase tickets in advance.
- SFA -
