Wednesday, April 11
Nacogdoches, Texas
5 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
1
vs
2
Louisiana Tech
Photo by: Hardy Meredith | SFA Photography
Ladyjacks Fall to Louisiana Tech in Tightly Contested 2-1 Midweek Tilt
4/11/2018 8:34:00 PM | Softball
Softball edged in one-run game for seventh time of season, leave 10 base runners stranded in loss
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – For the seventh time of 2018 the Stephen F. Austin softball team found itself on the losing end of a one-run affair, this time dropping a 2-1 decision to a talented Louisiana Tech squad Wednesday evening at SFA Softball Field. In a tightly contested contest that saw both teams play quality softball in all facets of the game, the Ladyjacks (21-17) were outhit 6-5 and were unable to bring more than one across home plate, despite having ample opportunities.
SFA did not commit an error in the field and got stiff pitching from two underclassmen in sophomore right-hander Autumn Anderson (Fort Collins, Colo.) and freshman righty Clarissa Hernandez (San Antonio, Texas). However, the Ladyjacks left a total of 10 base runners stranded as the Lady Techsters (24-17) scored a run in the top of both the second and third innings. Even though Louisiana Tech committed a trio of errors, two coming in the opening inning, none proved to be costly for the visitors.
"It was a great day overall," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the game. "Our plan was to let our freshman and sophomores throw during the midweek and I'm really proud of Autumn Anderson and Nani (Clarissa) Hernandez for coming in here and pitching lights out. I think they (Louisiana Tech) are a top-30/top-40 and both pitchers had excellent command and control of the game. We had quality at bats too and left a lot of people on base. I felt like we were just one hit away all day. Our energy was good in the dugout and our players came out and just played hard, it's definitely good momentum going into the weekend."
Following a hitless first inning by both teams, the Lady Techsters lined two in the top of the second inning and took a 1-0 lead off of a RBI single through the left side by third baseman Bayli Simon. With Louisiana Tech's starting right-handed pitcher Erin McDonald holding SFA hitless through the first three innings, the Lady Techsters scored their second run of the evening in the top of the third. After a double to right center by center fielder Jazlyn Crowder, Louisiana Tech got a walk and then a RBI single through the left side from reining Conference USA Player of the Week left fielder Morgan Turkoly.
The Ladyjacks got their first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth and had an excellent chance to score after loading the bases with no outs. Senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas) singled to the shortstop to begin the frame, before junior first baseman Margarita Corona (Tucson, Ariz.) reached on a Lady Techster throwing error and senior right fielder Autumn Holloway (Cypress, Texas) got a bunt single to first base. However, Louisiana Tech's defense proved to be stingy and got Fraccastoro out at home on a fielder's choice before McDonald sat two SFA batters down looking.
Hernandez, who entered the circle in relief of Anderson with two outs in the top of the fourth, held the Lady Techsters in check by striking out four of the first eight batters she faced. Giving up just one hit in the top of the fifth, the Ladyjacks scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas) led off with a hit by pitch and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas). Senior third baseman Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.) singled down the right field line for SFA's only RBI of the evening, allowing Clements to reach home from second base. After Corona was walked the Ladyjacks had two on with two outs but a lineout ended the inning.
After Hernandez retired three straight in the top of the sixth, SFA collected two hits in the bottom of the inning and had another chance to tie up the game. Following a groundout, junior designated player Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) and freshman shortstop Emily Evans (Santa Fe, Texas) both singled to give the Ladyjacks runners on first and second with just one out. Much like the bottom of the fourth inning, Louisiana Tech came up with a strikeout and then forced a groundout to end the sixth. Hernandez allowed just a double in the top of the seventh, but SFA was only able to get one runner on base due to a hit by pitch in the bottom of the final inning.
Anderson (1-2) took the loss in the circle for the Ladyjacks after getting the starting nod and going three and 2/3 innings deep. She struck out three before Hernandez tossed three and 1/3 innings in relief, striking out four and giving up just two hits.
Both Crowder and Turkoly finished the game 2-for-3 for the Lady Techsters as Crowder scored a run and Turkoly recorded an RBI. McDonald (2-0) picked up the win on the rubber, throwing five complete and tallying three strikeouts, while right-hander Preslee Gallaway earned her first save of the year by pitching the final one and 2/3 innings for Louisiana Tech and striking out two.
"I'm just really proud of our pitching staff going out there and executing," coach Dickson continued. "That's what kept us in the game, they went out there and threw the pitch that was called. I feel like we were on 80% of the time so our defense was able to make plays."
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks step back into league action this weekend and begin a six-game road trip with a three-game series at Houston Baptist Friday and Saturday, April 13-14. SFA is scheduled to take on the Huskies in a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday, April 13, before facing Houston Baptist in a single game Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
For all weather-related SFA softball schedule changes throughout the 2018 spring season, be sure to keep an eye on SFAJacks.com and follow SFA softball on Facebook (SFA Softball) and Twitter (@SFA_Softball).
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the season.
-SFA-
SFA did not commit an error in the field and got stiff pitching from two underclassmen in sophomore right-hander Autumn Anderson (Fort Collins, Colo.) and freshman righty Clarissa Hernandez (San Antonio, Texas). However, the Ladyjacks left a total of 10 base runners stranded as the Lady Techsters (24-17) scored a run in the top of both the second and third innings. Even though Louisiana Tech committed a trio of errors, two coming in the opening inning, none proved to be costly for the visitors.
"It was a great day overall," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the game. "Our plan was to let our freshman and sophomores throw during the midweek and I'm really proud of Autumn Anderson and Nani (Clarissa) Hernandez for coming in here and pitching lights out. I think they (Louisiana Tech) are a top-30/top-40 and both pitchers had excellent command and control of the game. We had quality at bats too and left a lot of people on base. I felt like we were just one hit away all day. Our energy was good in the dugout and our players came out and just played hard, it's definitely good momentum going into the weekend."
Following a hitless first inning by both teams, the Lady Techsters lined two in the top of the second inning and took a 1-0 lead off of a RBI single through the left side by third baseman Bayli Simon. With Louisiana Tech's starting right-handed pitcher Erin McDonald holding SFA hitless through the first three innings, the Lady Techsters scored their second run of the evening in the top of the third. After a double to right center by center fielder Jazlyn Crowder, Louisiana Tech got a walk and then a RBI single through the left side from reining Conference USA Player of the Week left fielder Morgan Turkoly.
The Ladyjacks got their first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth and had an excellent chance to score after loading the bases with no outs. Senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas) singled to the shortstop to begin the frame, before junior first baseman Margarita Corona (Tucson, Ariz.) reached on a Lady Techster throwing error and senior right fielder Autumn Holloway (Cypress, Texas) got a bunt single to first base. However, Louisiana Tech's defense proved to be stingy and got Fraccastoro out at home on a fielder's choice before McDonald sat two SFA batters down looking.
Hernandez, who entered the circle in relief of Anderson with two outs in the top of the fourth, held the Lady Techsters in check by striking out four of the first eight batters she faced. Giving up just one hit in the top of the fifth, the Ladyjacks scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas) led off with a hit by pitch and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas). Senior third baseman Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.) singled down the right field line for SFA's only RBI of the evening, allowing Clements to reach home from second base. After Corona was walked the Ladyjacks had two on with two outs but a lineout ended the inning.
After Hernandez retired three straight in the top of the sixth, SFA collected two hits in the bottom of the inning and had another chance to tie up the game. Following a groundout, junior designated player Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) and freshman shortstop Emily Evans (Santa Fe, Texas) both singled to give the Ladyjacks runners on first and second with just one out. Much like the bottom of the fourth inning, Louisiana Tech came up with a strikeout and then forced a groundout to end the sixth. Hernandez allowed just a double in the top of the seventh, but SFA was only able to get one runner on base due to a hit by pitch in the bottom of the final inning.
Anderson (1-2) took the loss in the circle for the Ladyjacks after getting the starting nod and going three and 2/3 innings deep. She struck out three before Hernandez tossed three and 1/3 innings in relief, striking out four and giving up just two hits.
Both Crowder and Turkoly finished the game 2-for-3 for the Lady Techsters as Crowder scored a run and Turkoly recorded an RBI. McDonald (2-0) picked up the win on the rubber, throwing five complete and tallying three strikeouts, while right-hander Preslee Gallaway earned her first save of the year by pitching the final one and 2/3 innings for Louisiana Tech and striking out two.
"I'm just really proud of our pitching staff going out there and executing," coach Dickson continued. "That's what kept us in the game, they went out there and threw the pitch that was called. I feel like we were on 80% of the time so our defense was able to make plays."
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks step back into league action this weekend and begin a six-game road trip with a three-game series at Houston Baptist Friday and Saturday, April 13-14. SFA is scheduled to take on the Huskies in a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday, April 13, before facing Houston Baptist in a single game Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
For all weather-related SFA softball schedule changes throughout the 2018 spring season, be sure to keep an eye on SFAJacks.com and follow SFA softball on Facebook (SFA Softball) and Twitter (@SFA_Softball).
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the season.
-SFA-
Players Mentioned
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OF
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INF/C
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C/UTIL
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OF
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INF
/ Softball2.1.24 | Axe 'Em Insider Ep. 24 x Softball
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