Saturday, April 28
Nacogdoches, Texas
12 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
11
vs
8
McNeese
Photo by: Hardy Meredith | SFA Photography
Softball Sweeps McNeese in Saturday Doubleheader for Sixth-Straight Southland Series Win
4/28/2018 6:36:00 PM | Softball
Ladyjacks line 18 hits on the day, claim seventh conference series win of the season
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – For the sixth-straight weekend and seventh of the season, the Stephen F. Austin softball team earned a Southland Conference series win after sweeping McNeese in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at SFA Softball Field. The Ladyjacks (29-18, 17-7 Southland) earned a lengthy 11-8 win in game two of the series to start off the afternoon before claiming a 4-3 victory in the second game of the doubleheader.
SFA lined 18 hits on the afternoon as the visiting Cowgirls (34-18, 16-8 Southland) collected 16 of their own. Home runs from four different Ladyjacks propelled SFA over McNeese as senior right-handed pitcher Makayla Sikes earned a pair of saves to close out the games against the high-powered offense of the Cowgirls.
"Great team wins today," head coach Nicole Dickson said after the doubleheader sweep. "We only accomplished what we did today as a team, we got through it together after yesterday's setback. It took absolutely everybody; our pitching staff did a great job in both games. We had players like Madison Selman, who stepped up huge when we needed her. She hit that home run in the fourth inning of game one and I nearly cried at third base because she is so deserving."
"We've got a bunch of blue-collar players who just don't take anything for granted," coach Dickson continued. "That's been our mojo all year. When you give 100 percent and play the game right, good things happen. That's what happened today, we went out there and played hard against a really good team. I'm really proud of our team."
Win, 11-8 vs. McNeese (34-17, 16-7 Southland)
Tying the most hits in any game this season and matching the most runs SFA has scored in a Southland contest in 2018, the Ladyjacks scored 11 runs on 13 hits and overcame three errors. SFA rallied from a 3-0 deficit, using a three-run third inning and a five-run fourth to surge past the visitors, before scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth.
McNeese took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second when reigning three-time Southland Player and Hitter of the Year Erika Piancastelli connected on a bases-clearing three RBI double to center field. The Ladyjacks responded in the bottom of the frame with a RBI groundout from freshman left fielder Katherine Thompson following a leadoff single up the middle by senior third baseman Amber Landry.
Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the third, SFA got a two-out triple down the left field line from freshman shortstop Bryana Novegil and then an RBI double to left center field from senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro. Junior first baseman Margarita Corona stepped to the plate and rocked the first pitch of her at bat for her eighth homer of the season, a two-run shot over right center field. Taking a 4-3 lead on the home run, the Ladyjacks continued to rack up runs in the fourth.
Following a pair of walks to begin the bottom of the fourth, senior designated player Madison Selman crushed her third homer of the year, a three RBI long ball over the center field fence. Owning a 7-3 advantage, SFA increased its lead to 9-3 before the end of the inning. A Novegil walk and a Fraccastoro single to right field preceded a two-out, two RBI double to right field by Landry.
The Cowgirls would not go away quietly though and scored three times in the top of the fifth to make it a three-run game at 9-6. Piancastelli led off the inning with a solo home run over center field, before first baseman Morgan Catron repeated the same action on the next at bat with a solo shot of her own. After a Ladyjack fielding error and a groundout, McNeese scored an unearned run on an RBI groundout to shortstop.
The Ladyjacks tallied two hits in the bottom of the fifth but couldn't score anybody before the Cowgirls made it a one-run affair at 9-8 in the top of the sixth. A single, SFA error, groundout and a strikeout all took place before designated player Alexandria Saldivar doubled to right field for a pair of RBI. A lineout would then end the top of the sixth without any further damage for SFA.
Corona knocked in a double down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth to set up Landry for her eighth homer of the spring. Landry took a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence with one out for two RBI, giving the Ladyjacks a commanding 11-8 lead going into the seventh. A trio of walks loaded the bases for McNeese with two outs in the top of the seventh, before Sikes struck out Catron to end the game.
Landry finished the game 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored, while Selman went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run. Both Corona and Fraccastoro were 2-for-4 as Corona had two RBI and a run and Fraccastoro two scores and an RBI. Senior right-hander Callee Guffey (9-8) claimed the win inside the circle after four innings complete, striking out five in the process. Sikes picked up a three-inning save for her third save of the season after striking out three.
Piancastelli led the Cowgirls with a 2-for-4, four RBI and two runs scored performance. Right fielder Justyce McClain went 2-for-3 at the plate in the contest, scored twice and was walked twice, while left fielder Lauren Brown went 2-for-4 and earned a run. Freshman righty Ashley Koncir (5-2) took the loss on the rubber after tossing the first three innings and giving up four earned runs with a strikeout.
Win, 4-3 vs. McNeese (34-18, 16-8 Southland)
Much like the opening game of the doubleheader, SFA came back from a 3-0 disadvantage as Fraccastoro's three-run home run willed the home team to victory in game two of the afternoon. The Ladyjacks were outhit 6-5 and overcame two errors in the field but allowed just two McNeese hits in the final four innings of play.
Cowgirl shortstop Taylor Strother smacked a two RBI double into left field in the top of the second following a pair of McNeese singles to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. McNeese then took a 3-0 advantage in the top of the third when catcher Aubree Turbeville singled up the middle for an RBI. However, it would be the Cowgirls' final score of the afternoon as freshman right-handed pitcher Clarissa Hernandez and Sikes threw shutout ball over the final four innings.
A leadoff double to left field by Landry in the bottom of the fourth set up a Thompson RBI double to right center field, making it a 3-1 game. In the bottom of fifth, sophomore center fielder Madison Clements was walked before Novegil was hit by a pitch. Both advanced a base on a Cowgirl wild pitch before Fraccastoro took a 2-2 pitch over center field for her eighth dinger of the season, her three-run shot giving SFA its first lead of the game at 4-3.
With Sikes in the circle for the final two innings, the Ladyjacks allowed just a walk in the top of the sixth and a double in the seventh before making the 4-3 score go final.
Novegil had a 1-for-1, one run scored and one walk performance as Fraccastoro went 1-for-2 with three RBI and a run. Hernandez (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win inside the circle, striking out one and allowing just one hit in the process. Sikes notched her second save of the day and fourth of the season after closing out the final two innings with just one hit allowed and a strikeout.
Second baseman Carleigh Chaumont led McNeese by going 3-for-3 with two runs cored and a walk, while Strother finished 1-for-2 with two RBI. Right-hander Alexsandra Flores (16-8) went all six innings on the rubber and struck out just one to take the loss.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will step out of league action Tuesday, May 1 to complete their non-conference slate of 2018 by hosting Texas Southern at 3 p.m. Next weekend, SFA hosts Abilene Christian in a three-game Southland series Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, to wrap up the regular season.
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 lined 18 hits on the afternoon as the visiting Cowgirls (34-18, 16-8 Southland) collected 16 of their own. Home runs from four different Ladyjacks propelled SFA over McNeese as senior right-handed pitcher Makayla Sikes earned a pair of saves to close out the games against the high-powered offense of the Cowgirls.
"Great team wins today," head coach Nicole Dickson said after the doubleheader sweep. "We only accomplished what we did today as a team, we got through it together after yesterday's setback. It took absolutely everybody; our pitching staff did a great job in both games. We had players like Madison Selman, who stepped up huge when we needed her. She hit that home run in the fourth inning of game one and I nearly cried at third base because she is so deserving."
"We've got a bunch of blue-collar players who just don't take anything for granted," coach Dickson continued. "That's been our mojo all year. When you give 100 percent and play the game right, good things happen. That's what happened today, we went out there and played hard against a really good team. I'm really proud of our team."
Win, 11-8 vs. McNeese (34-17, 16-7 Southland)
Tying the most hits in any game this season and matching the most runs SFA has scored in a Southland contest in 2018, the Ladyjacks scored 11 runs on 13 hits and overcame three errors. SFA rallied from a 3-0 deficit, using a three-run third inning and a five-run fourth to surge past the visitors, before scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth.
McNeese took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second when reigning three-time Southland Player and Hitter of the Year Erika Piancastelli connected on a bases-clearing three RBI double to center field. The Ladyjacks responded in the bottom of the frame with a RBI groundout from freshman left fielder Katherine Thompson following a leadoff single up the middle by senior third baseman Amber Landry.
Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the third, SFA got a two-out triple down the left field line from freshman shortstop Bryana Novegil and then an RBI double to left center field from senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro. Junior first baseman Margarita Corona stepped to the plate and rocked the first pitch of her at bat for her eighth homer of the season, a two-run shot over right center field. Taking a 4-3 lead on the home run, the Ladyjacks continued to rack up runs in the fourth.
Following a pair of walks to begin the bottom of the fourth, senior designated player Madison Selman crushed her third homer of the year, a three RBI long ball over the center field fence. Owning a 7-3 advantage, SFA increased its lead to 9-3 before the end of the inning. A Novegil walk and a Fraccastoro single to right field preceded a two-out, two RBI double to right field by Landry.
The Cowgirls would not go away quietly though and scored three times in the top of the fifth to make it a three-run game at 9-6. Piancastelli led off the inning with a solo home run over center field, before first baseman Morgan Catron repeated the same action on the next at bat with a solo shot of her own. After a Ladyjack fielding error and a groundout, McNeese scored an unearned run on an RBI groundout to shortstop.
The Ladyjacks tallied two hits in the bottom of the fifth but couldn't score anybody before the Cowgirls made it a one-run affair at 9-8 in the top of the sixth. A single, SFA error, groundout and a strikeout all took place before designated player Alexandria Saldivar doubled to right field for a pair of RBI. A lineout would then end the top of the sixth without any further damage for SFA.
Corona knocked in a double down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth to set up Landry for her eighth homer of the spring. Landry took a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence with one out for two RBI, giving the Ladyjacks a commanding 11-8 lead going into the seventh. A trio of walks loaded the bases for McNeese with two outs in the top of the seventh, before Sikes struck out Catron to end the game.
Landry finished the game 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored, while Selman went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run. Both Corona and Fraccastoro were 2-for-4 as Corona had two RBI and a run and Fraccastoro two scores and an RBI. Senior right-hander Callee Guffey (9-8) claimed the win inside the circle after four innings complete, striking out five in the process. Sikes picked up a three-inning save for her third save of the season after striking out three.
Piancastelli led the Cowgirls with a 2-for-4, four RBI and two runs scored performance. Right fielder Justyce McClain went 2-for-3 at the plate in the contest, scored twice and was walked twice, while left fielder Lauren Brown went 2-for-4 and earned a run. Freshman righty Ashley Koncir (5-2) took the loss on the rubber after tossing the first three innings and giving up four earned runs with a strikeout.
Win, 4-3 vs. McNeese (34-18, 16-8 Southland)
Much like the opening game of the doubleheader, SFA came back from a 3-0 disadvantage as Fraccastoro's three-run home run willed the home team to victory in game two of the afternoon. The Ladyjacks were outhit 6-5 and overcame two errors in the field but allowed just two McNeese hits in the final four innings of play.
Cowgirl shortstop Taylor Strother smacked a two RBI double into left field in the top of the second following a pair of McNeese singles to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. McNeese then took a 3-0 advantage in the top of the third when catcher Aubree Turbeville singled up the middle for an RBI. However, it would be the Cowgirls' final score of the afternoon as freshman right-handed pitcher Clarissa Hernandez and Sikes threw shutout ball over the final four innings.
A leadoff double to left field by Landry in the bottom of the fourth set up a Thompson RBI double to right center field, making it a 3-1 game. In the bottom of fifth, sophomore center fielder Madison Clements was walked before Novegil was hit by a pitch. Both advanced a base on a Cowgirl wild pitch before Fraccastoro took a 2-2 pitch over center field for her eighth dinger of the season, her three-run shot giving SFA its first lead of the game at 4-3.
With Sikes in the circle for the final two innings, the Ladyjacks allowed just a walk in the top of the sixth and a double in the seventh before making the 4-3 score go final.
Novegil had a 1-for-1, one run scored and one walk performance as Fraccastoro went 1-for-2 with three RBI and a run. Hernandez (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win inside the circle, striking out one and allowing just one hit in the process. Sikes notched her second save of the day and fourth of the season after closing out the final two innings with just one hit allowed and a strikeout.
Second baseman Carleigh Chaumont led McNeese by going 3-for-3 with two runs cored and a walk, while Strother finished 1-for-2 with two RBI. Right-hander Alexsandra Flores (16-8) went all six innings on the rubber and struck out just one to take the loss.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will step out of league action Tuesday, May 1 to complete their non-conference slate of 2018 by hosting Texas Southern at 3 p.m. Next weekend, SFA hosts Abilene Christian in a three-game Southland series Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, to wrap up the regular season.
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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INF
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UTIL
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UTIL
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