Friday, April 6
Nacogdoches, Texas
12 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
20-15, 8-5
5
vs
4
Central Arkansas
19-16, 8-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Central Arkansas
2
0
1
0
0
0
1
4
6
1
Stephen F. Austin
2
0
1
1
0
1
X
5
11
3
Photo by: Hardy Meredith | SFA Photography
Softball Goes 1-1 Friday against Central Arkansas at SFA Softball Field
4/6/2018 7:55:00 PM | Softball
Ladyjacks pick up their 20th win of the season with a 5-4 game one victory, lining 11 hits in the process
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Two different games, two different results for the Stephen F. Austin softball team Friday afternoon at SFA Softball Field as the Ladyjacks split a doubleheader with Central Arkansas to begin their three-game Southland Conference series in Texas' oldest town. SFA rode 11 hits and overcame three errors to top the visiting Bears (20-16, 9-5 Southland) in the opening game of the day, before being held to just four hits in a 5-0 game two loss.
The Ladyjacks (20-16, 8-6 Southland) outhit UCA 15-14 for the day but were unable to control the speed of the Bears on the base paths. Strong pitching from senior right-hander Makayla Sikes (Gilmer, Texas) in the opening game of the series allowed SFA to hold off the bats of UCA, while the Bears' righty Rio Sanchez proved to be a tough outing for the Ladyjacks in the second game.
"Today was a great split against a really good program," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the doubleheader. "UCA has really solid pitching, strong hitting and a lot of speed on the bases, so I was please to be able to go 1-1 with them today. Going into tomorrow, we need to make adjustments both at the plate and on defense. That's going to be the key for tomorrow's rubber game, who can make the most adjustments where it counts. But I was pleased with the quality of softball on the field today."
Win, 5-4 vs. Central Arkansas (19-16, 8-5 Southland)
Outhitting UCA 11-6, SFA was forced to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit following the first inning of play and didn't take their first lead of the contest until the bottom of fourth inning.
The Bears collected three hits in the opening inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field from first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd and off of a RBI groundout to the pitcher by shortstop Kate Myers. Unfazed, the Ladyjacks knocked two hits in the bottom of the first and scored a pair of runs off of two-run bomb from senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas). Her game-tying fifth home run of the season coming after freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas) led off with a single up the middle.
Following a scoreless second inning, UCA took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third after scoring an unearned run. A single to right field by right fielder Morgan Felts and then a stolen base preceded a Ladyjack fielding error, which allowed Felts to reach home from second base. It was one of two miscues for SFA in the inning. The Ladyjacks would tie things up once again in the bottom half of the inning, this time at 3-3 as sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas) was brought home on a sacrifice fly to center field by senior third baseman Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.).
A three-hit fourth frame gave SFA its first advantage of the day at 4-3. After senior right fielder Autumn Holloway (Cypress, Texas) doubled down the right field line, junior designated player Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) doubled to right center field for an RBI. Sikes retired six out of seven batters and didn't allow a hit in the top of the fifth and sixth innings before the Ladyjacks tacked on an insurance run. Another three-hit frame in the bottom of the sixth allowed Holloway to score her second run of the game, this time off of an RBI double down the left field line by freshman shortstop Emily Evans (Santa Fe, Texas).
Leading 5-3 heading into the seventh, SFA got out of a bases loaded situation with no outs. A pair of walks and a single spelled trouble for the Ladyjacks but senior relief pitcher Callee Guffey (Waco, Texas) was able to strike out one and force a sacrifice fly, before Sikes returned to the circle. Making it 5-4 with UCA second baseman Libby Morris' sacrifice to center field, Sikes dialed up her fifth strikeout of the afternoon to end the game.
Holloway finished the game 2-for-3 with her two runs scored, while Evans was 2-for-2 with an RBI and Clements 2-for-3 with a run scored. Sikes 12-6 picked up her 12th win of the season in the circle and Guffey retired two of three batters faced in the seventh.
Three of the Bears' six hits came from Felts, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Right-handed pitcher Rachel Haberman (4-2) took the loss on the rubber after throwing five complete innings.
Loss, 5-0 vs. Central Arkansas (20-16, 9-5 Southland)
Much like game one, UCA struck early and went ahead 2-0 after gaining a pair of hits in the top of the first. However, unlike the opening game of the series, SFA was unable to respond in the bottom of the first frame and left a total of nine base runners stranded in the contest.
Following a single and stolen base by Felts, a groundout advanced her to third and then a Morris single to the pitcher allowed her to reach home plate and make it 1-0. Moments later the Bears' Myers lined up a sacrifice bunt for an RBI, allowing left fielder Oakley Sisemore to score the second run of the game.
With the Ladyjacks still hitless going into the third inning, UCA added another run. A double to right field by Shepherd preceded a Myers RBI double to left field in the top of the third, giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage. SFA collected its first hit of the game in the bottom of the inning when Novegil singled up the middle, but the Ladyjacks couldn't get anything else going.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, UCA made it 4-0 in the top of the sixth when catcher Ryan McTaggart smacked a solo homer over the left field fence. SFA tallied its third hit of the affair in the bottom of the sixth before a lengthy top of the seventh led to the Bears' fifth run of the game. Shepherd was walked to lead off the frame as pinch runner Kayla Crutchmer stole both second and third, before scoring on a Ladyjack error when SFA attempted to get the putout at third base.
Evans singled through the left side, Clements was walked and Novegil was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh with just one out to give the Ladyjacks signs of life. Despite loading the bases, a strikeout from UCA's Sanchez and a fielder's choice out at second base made the 5-0 score go final.
Holloway led SFA at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, while Guffey (5-8) took the loss in the circle after going two and 1/3 innings and notching a strikeout.
The Bears' Myers finished 2-for-2 with two RBI as Felts went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Shepherd 1-for-2 with a walk and a run. Sanchez (8-4) picked up a complete game win after tossing all seven frames and tallying a pair of strikeouts.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will complete the series with UCA Saturday in a single game at 12 p.m. from SFA Softball Field. SFA will wrap up its eight-game homestand Wednesday, April 11 when the Ladyjacks host Conference USA's Louisiana Tech at 5 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-
The Ladyjacks (20-16, 8-6 Southland) outhit UCA 15-14 for the day but were unable to control the speed of the Bears on the base paths. Strong pitching from senior right-hander Makayla Sikes (Gilmer, Texas) in the opening game of the series allowed SFA to hold off the bats of UCA, while the Bears' righty Rio Sanchez proved to be a tough outing for the Ladyjacks in the second game.
"Today was a great split against a really good program," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the doubleheader. "UCA has really solid pitching, strong hitting and a lot of speed on the bases, so I was please to be able to go 1-1 with them today. Going into tomorrow, we need to make adjustments both at the plate and on defense. That's going to be the key for tomorrow's rubber game, who can make the most adjustments where it counts. But I was pleased with the quality of softball on the field today."
Win, 5-4 vs. Central Arkansas (19-16, 8-5 Southland)
Outhitting UCA 11-6, SFA was forced to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit following the first inning of play and didn't take their first lead of the contest until the bottom of fourth inning.
The Bears collected three hits in the opening inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field from first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd and off of a RBI groundout to the pitcher by shortstop Kate Myers. Unfazed, the Ladyjacks knocked two hits in the bottom of the first and scored a pair of runs off of two-run bomb from senior catcher Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas). Her game-tying fifth home run of the season coming after freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas) led off with a single up the middle.
Following a scoreless second inning, UCA took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third after scoring an unearned run. A single to right field by right fielder Morgan Felts and then a stolen base preceded a Ladyjack fielding error, which allowed Felts to reach home from second base. It was one of two miscues for SFA in the inning. The Ladyjacks would tie things up once again in the bottom half of the inning, this time at 3-3 as sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas) was brought home on a sacrifice fly to center field by senior third baseman Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.).
A three-hit fourth frame gave SFA its first advantage of the day at 4-3. After senior right fielder Autumn Holloway (Cypress, Texas) doubled down the right field line, junior designated player Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) doubled to right center field for an RBI. Sikes retired six out of seven batters and didn't allow a hit in the top of the fifth and sixth innings before the Ladyjacks tacked on an insurance run. Another three-hit frame in the bottom of the sixth allowed Holloway to score her second run of the game, this time off of an RBI double down the left field line by freshman shortstop Emily Evans (Santa Fe, Texas).
Leading 5-3 heading into the seventh, SFA got out of a bases loaded situation with no outs. A pair of walks and a single spelled trouble for the Ladyjacks but senior relief pitcher Callee Guffey (Waco, Texas) was able to strike out one and force a sacrifice fly, before Sikes returned to the circle. Making it 5-4 with UCA second baseman Libby Morris' sacrifice to center field, Sikes dialed up her fifth strikeout of the afternoon to end the game.
Holloway finished the game 2-for-3 with her two runs scored, while Evans was 2-for-2 with an RBI and Clements 2-for-3 with a run scored. Sikes 12-6 picked up her 12th win of the season in the circle and Guffey retired two of three batters faced in the seventh.
Three of the Bears' six hits came from Felts, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Right-handed pitcher Rachel Haberman (4-2) took the loss on the rubber after throwing five complete innings.
Loss, 5-0 vs. Central Arkansas (20-16, 9-5 Southland)
Much like game one, UCA struck early and went ahead 2-0 after gaining a pair of hits in the top of the first. However, unlike the opening game of the series, SFA was unable to respond in the bottom of the first frame and left a total of nine base runners stranded in the contest.
Following a single and stolen base by Felts, a groundout advanced her to third and then a Morris single to the pitcher allowed her to reach home plate and make it 1-0. Moments later the Bears' Myers lined up a sacrifice bunt for an RBI, allowing left fielder Oakley Sisemore to score the second run of the game.
With the Ladyjacks still hitless going into the third inning, UCA added another run. A double to right field by Shepherd preceded a Myers RBI double to left field in the top of the third, giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage. SFA collected its first hit of the game in the bottom of the inning when Novegil singled up the middle, but the Ladyjacks couldn't get anything else going.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, UCA made it 4-0 in the top of the sixth when catcher Ryan McTaggart smacked a solo homer over the left field fence. SFA tallied its third hit of the affair in the bottom of the sixth before a lengthy top of the seventh led to the Bears' fifth run of the game. Shepherd was walked to lead off the frame as pinch runner Kayla Crutchmer stole both second and third, before scoring on a Ladyjack error when SFA attempted to get the putout at third base.
Evans singled through the left side, Clements was walked and Novegil was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh with just one out to give the Ladyjacks signs of life. Despite loading the bases, a strikeout from UCA's Sanchez and a fielder's choice out at second base made the 5-0 score go final.
Holloway led SFA at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, while Guffey (5-8) took the loss in the circle after going two and 1/3 innings and notching a strikeout.
The Bears' Myers finished 2-for-2 with two RBI as Felts went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Shepherd 1-for-2 with a walk and a run. Sanchez (8-4) picked up a complete game win after tossing all seven frames and tallying a pair of strikeouts.
Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will complete the series with UCA Saturday in a single game at 12 p.m. from SFA Softball Field. SFA will wrap up its eight-game homestand Wednesday, April 11 when the Ladyjacks host Conference USA's Louisiana Tech at 5 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-
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sikes, Makayla (12-6)
L: Haberman, Rachel (4-2)
Batting:
RBI: Shepherd, Kaylyn 1 ; Morris, Libby 1 ; Myers, Kate 1
SF: Shepherd, Kaylyn 1 ; Morris, Libby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Felts, Morgan 2 ; Sisemore, Oakley 1 ; Crutchmer, Kayla 1
SB: Felts, Morgan 2 ; Sisemore, Oakley 2
HBP: Shepherd, Kaylyn 1
Batting:
2B: Holloway, Autumn 1 ; Becker, Lauren 1 ; Evans, Emily 1
HR: Fraccastoro, Taylor 1
RBI: Fraccastoro, Taylor 2 ; Landry, Amber 1 ; Becker, Lauren 1 ; Evans, Emily 1
SH: Novegil, Bryana 1 ; Thompson, Katherine 1 ; Brown, Courtney 1
SF: Landry, Amber 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Novegil, Bryana 1 ; Fraccastoro, Taylor 1 ; Holloway, Autumn 2 ; Clements, Madison 1
CS: Evans, Emily 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
C/UTIL
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
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