Ladyjacks Host Rival Bearkats for Regular Season Series Finale
5/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Stephen F. Austin (24-25, 12-11) vs. Sam Houston (19-30, 11-13)
SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, Texas
Friday, May 6 (3 pm) – Saturday, May 7 (1/3 pm)
Watch Live • Live Stats: GM1 • GM2 • GM3
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – With a berth to the 2016 Southland Conference Tournament already secure, the Stephen F. Austin softball team will look to lock up the No. 5 seed and send its four seniors out on top in their final home series this weekend against Piney Woods rival Sam Houston State. The three-game set will begin on Friday at 3:00 p.m. at SFA Softball Field and will conclude with a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.
GAME NOTES
Last Time Out – The Ladyjacks are coming off a successful trip to Natchitoches, taking two of three games from Northwestern State – the reigning Southland Conference champions. After dropping a 4-0 decision to start the weekend, SFA roared back to take game two 5-3 and game three 7-6 to punch its ticket to the SLC Tournament next week. Junior Brittany Lewis hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to propel the ‘Jacks to a thrilling comeback win in game two and also hit a three-run bomb in the series finale to pace the offense.
What’s at Stake – Aside from the hunger of wanting to beat a bitter rival, SFA will have plenty to play for this weekend when Sam Houston State comes to town. With just one victory over the Bearkats in the three-game series, the Ladyjacks would clinch the No. 5 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. They would then have to play the four seed in the first round as opposed to the three if they were to drop into the sixth and final position.
Senior Recognition – SFA will honor its four seniors this Saturday prior to the first game of the doubleheader. Outfielders Heather Hollingsworth, Alisa Hamilton, Lindsay Campbell and pitcher Hannah Welch will all be playing in their final series in front of the home fans. The group has combined to help SFA win 85 games over the last four years.
SLC Player of the Year Case – First baseman Brittany Lewis has made a strong case for SLC Player of the Year honors with a solid junior campaign for the Ladyjacks. Through 23 SLC games, Lewis leads the league in batting average (.529), RBI (30), hits (37) and total bases (72) while ranking second in slugging (1.029), on-base percentage (.602) and home runs (9) in SLC play. She has recorded two grand slams in league action and has hit safely in 22 straight SLC contests dating back to March 13 in the season-opening series against Nicholls.
RBI Machine – Brittany Lewis broke her own single season RBI record this past weekend at Northwestern State. She drove in seven runs over the three-game series to bump her season total to an even 50. She now holds the top three single season RBI performances in SFA history, recording 41 RBI last year and 44 as a freshman in 2014. She is the only Ladyjack to ever drive in 40+ RBI in three straight seasons.
Record Watch – Already with the RBI season record to her name, Brittany Lewis could also break SFA’s single season home run record this year. With 11 long balls on the season, Lewis needs just one more to tie Briana Bishop (2009) for the top spot in program history.
National Leader – Junior shortstop Courtney Chambers leads the nation this season in hit by pitch, getting pegged a total of 27 times through 49 games this season. That total is also the most for a single season in SFA history. On average she is hit 0.55 times per game.
Emergence of Sikes – Makayla Sikes has had a breakout season for the Ladyjacks in the circle in 2016, establishing herself as one of the best pitchers in the SLC. The sophomore hurler ranks fourth in the league in ERA (1.88) and opposing batting average (.212) and sits eighth in strikeouts per game (4.60) in SLC action. In 13 appearances (eight starts) spanning 67.0 innings against SLC foes, Sikes has six complete games, one shutout and owns an impressive 1.91 K/BB ratio.
Cleaning Things Up – Junior Taylor LeFlore has played a pivotal role for the Ladyjacks in 2016, both offensively and defensively at the hot corner. Settling into a cleanup spot in the order during the backstretch of the season, LeFlore is second on the team with a .317 batting average and five doubles in 21 league starts. She ranks ninth in the SLC in doubles per game, 15th in assists (44) and has recorded seven multi-hit games during league action.
Stolen Base Experts – The Ladyjacks have been efficient on the base paths this season, stealing 65 bags on 74 attempts for an 87.8 percent success rate. Catcher Taylor Fraccastoro has swiped the most bases, going a perfect 13-for-13 in running opportunities this season. Courtney Chambers has stolen 12 and Autumn Holloway is also a perfect 8-for-8 on the year.
Strike Out Cancer – The final weekend of the regular season at SFA Softball Field will serve as SFA’s Strike Out Cancer series to honor those affected by cancer. There will be shirt giveaways on Saturday presented by Barnes & Noble along with other promotions and dedications throughout the day.
Up Next – Following the SLC series finale against the Bearkats, SFA will turn its attention to the SLC Tournament hosted by McNeese next week. The Ladyjacks will first play on Wednesday with game time and opponent TBD. The three-day tourney will conclude on Friday with the championship game set for 2:00 p.m. in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
-SFA-
