Sunday, April 8
Nacogdoches, Texas
12:15 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
21-16, 9-6
6
vs
0
Central Arkansas
20-17, 9-6
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3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Central Arkansas
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
Stephen F. Austin
0
0
0
0
4
2
X
6
7
0
Photo by: SFA Athletics
Ladyjacks Clinch Series Win Over Central Arkansas with 6-0 Shutout
4/8/2018 3:14:00 PM | Softball
SFA holds visiting Bears to two hits, scores six runs on seven hits to win third consecutive decisive game three
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – For the third-straight weekend the Stephen F. Austin softball team won a series-clinching game three Sunday afternoon at SFA Softball Field. The Ladyjacks (21-16, 9-6 Southland) shut out visiting Central Arkansas by a score of 6-0 to earn their fourth Southland Conference series win of the season after splitting a doubleheader against the Bears (20-17, 9-6 Southland) Friday afternoon.
Delayed one day because of poor field conditions Saturday following severe thunderstorms Friday night, SFA staged one its best performances thus far this season in all facets of the game. With senior right-handed pitcher Makayla Sikes (Gilmer, Texas) inside the circle, the Ladyjacks held UCA to just two hits and line seven of their own. SFA was also flawless in the field.
"I'm really proud, really proud of these ladies today," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the game three victory. "I've been telling this group since the fall that they have something special and they played hard today. Autumn Holloway went into the fence to make a play in the third inning, that's a play she didn't make last week. These ladies aren't taking anything for granted, every single day it's an opportunity to come out here and work. They are just buying in, trusting the process, being coachable and being good teammates."
The Ladyjacks scored six runs late in the game, reaching home plate a total of four times in the bottom of the fifth inning and twice in the bottom of the sixth. Despite getting plenty of base runners on due to walks, the Bears left nine stranded in the contest as Sikes allowed just one hit in the top of the fourth and another in the seventh.
"This is the best we've played all year," continued coach Dickson. "We had great pitching as Makayla Sikes had great composure. For her to go out there and two-hit a team that is a top-five or six team in this conference and beat them twice is a strong statement. I'm really proud of her for just being a great senior leader pitcher out in the circle. We made some good adjustments on defense, I thought Lauren Becker did a great job at third base. Emily Evans and Bryana Novegil played well in the middle and Taylor Fraccastoro swung the bat really well today, she hit the ball hard and was a threat at the plate."
SFA knocked in two singles in the bottom of the opening inning but couldn't advance anybody past second base as the score remained at 0-0 through the first four and a half innings of play. UCA loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fourth after a pair of walks and a single but a groundout ended the inning. It would be one of just two real chances the Bears would have to score in the game.
A four-run, two-hit bottom fifth inning gave the Ladyjacks a commanding 4-0 lead. Following a hit-by-pitch and a walk, senior catcher Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.) sacrifice bunted senior designated player Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas) and freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas) to second and third. Junior first baseman Margarita Corona (Tucson, Ariz.) then stepped up to the plate and took a full count pitch to the left field fence for a two RBI double, giving SFA a 2-0 lead with one out in the inning. After a single to left field from freshman left fielder Katherine Thompson (Spring, Texas), junior third baseman Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) reached on a UCA fielding error, which allowed sophomore pinch runner Carley Ruffino (Cypress, Texas) and Thompson to reach home.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Ladyjacks tacked on two more runs to make it 6-0. A pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch gave SFA bases loaded with just one out before Corona reached on a fielder's choice for an RBI, scoring sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas). Moments later, senior right fielder Autumn Holloway singled to right field for an RBI as Landry scored.
The Bears had another opportunity to score their first run of the game in the top of the seventh after loading the bases due to two walks and a single to third base. However, with two outs UCA grounded out for the final out of the day.
Corona finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, while Thompson also went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Novegil had a 1-for-2 performance with a walk and a run as Fraccastoro was walked twice. Sikes (13-6) notched her third complete game shutout and seventh complete game win of the season with two strikeouts.
UCA starting right-hander Rio Sanchez (8-5) took the loss on the rubber after going four complete innings and collecting a strikeout.
The Ladyjacks improved their home record to 8-3 on the year and have now won four out of their five Southland series this season.
Up Next…
SFA will wrap up its eight-game homestand Wednesday evening when it hosts non-conference foe Louisiana Tech at 5 p.m. from SFA Softball Field. The Ladyjacks will then hit the road next weekend and step back into league action for a three-game set at Houston Baptist Friday and Saturday, April 13-14.
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-
Delayed one day because of poor field conditions Saturday following severe thunderstorms Friday night, SFA staged one its best performances thus far this season in all facets of the game. With senior right-handed pitcher Makayla Sikes (Gilmer, Texas) inside the circle, the Ladyjacks held UCA to just two hits and line seven of their own. SFA was also flawless in the field.
"I'm really proud, really proud of these ladies today," head coach Nicole Dickson said following the game three victory. "I've been telling this group since the fall that they have something special and they played hard today. Autumn Holloway went into the fence to make a play in the third inning, that's a play she didn't make last week. These ladies aren't taking anything for granted, every single day it's an opportunity to come out here and work. They are just buying in, trusting the process, being coachable and being good teammates."
The Ladyjacks scored six runs late in the game, reaching home plate a total of four times in the bottom of the fifth inning and twice in the bottom of the sixth. Despite getting plenty of base runners on due to walks, the Bears left nine stranded in the contest as Sikes allowed just one hit in the top of the fourth and another in the seventh.
"This is the best we've played all year," continued coach Dickson. "We had great pitching as Makayla Sikes had great composure. For her to go out there and two-hit a team that is a top-five or six team in this conference and beat them twice is a strong statement. I'm really proud of her for just being a great senior leader pitcher out in the circle. We made some good adjustments on defense, I thought Lauren Becker did a great job at third base. Emily Evans and Bryana Novegil played well in the middle and Taylor Fraccastoro swung the bat really well today, she hit the ball hard and was a threat at the plate."
SFA knocked in two singles in the bottom of the opening inning but couldn't advance anybody past second base as the score remained at 0-0 through the first four and a half innings of play. UCA loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fourth after a pair of walks and a single but a groundout ended the inning. It would be one of just two real chances the Bears would have to score in the game.
A four-run, two-hit bottom fifth inning gave the Ladyjacks a commanding 4-0 lead. Following a hit-by-pitch and a walk, senior catcher Amber Landry (Ponchatoula, La.) sacrifice bunted senior designated player Taylor Fraccastoro (Orange, Texas) and freshman second baseman Bryana Novegil (Houston, Texas) to second and third. Junior first baseman Margarita Corona (Tucson, Ariz.) then stepped up to the plate and took a full count pitch to the left field fence for a two RBI double, giving SFA a 2-0 lead with one out in the inning. After a single to left field from freshman left fielder Katherine Thompson (Spring, Texas), junior third baseman Lauren Becker (Cypress, Texas) reached on a UCA fielding error, which allowed sophomore pinch runner Carley Ruffino (Cypress, Texas) and Thompson to reach home.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Ladyjacks tacked on two more runs to make it 6-0. A pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch gave SFA bases loaded with just one out before Corona reached on a fielder's choice for an RBI, scoring sophomore center fielder Madison Clements (Pearland, Texas). Moments later, senior right fielder Autumn Holloway singled to right field for an RBI as Landry scored.
The Bears had another opportunity to score their first run of the game in the top of the seventh after loading the bases due to two walks and a single to third base. However, with two outs UCA grounded out for the final out of the day.
Corona finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, while Thompson also went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Novegil had a 1-for-2 performance with a walk and a run as Fraccastoro was walked twice. Sikes (13-6) notched her third complete game shutout and seventh complete game win of the season with two strikeouts.
UCA starting right-hander Rio Sanchez (8-5) took the loss on the rubber after going four complete innings and collecting a strikeout.
The Ladyjacks improved their home record to 8-3 on the year and have now won four out of their five Southland series this season.
Up Next…
SFA will wrap up its eight-game homestand Wednesday evening when it hosts non-conference foe Louisiana Tech at 5 p.m. from SFA Softball Field. The Ladyjacks will then hit the road next weekend and step back into league action for a three-game set at Houston Baptist Friday and Saturday, April 13-14.
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 (13-6)
L: Sanchez, Rio (8-5)
Base Running:
HBP: Shepherd, Kaylyn 1
Batting:
2B: Corona, Margarita 1
RBI: Corona, Margarita 3 ; Holloway, Autumn 1
SH: Landry, Amber 1 ; Becker, Lauren 1 ; Clements, Madison 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Novegil, Bryana 1 ; Fraccastoro, Taylor 1 ; Landry, Amber 1 ; Ruffino, Carley 1 ; Thompson, Katherine 1 ; Clements, Madison 1
SB: Thompson, Katherine 1
HBP: Novegil, Bryana 1 ; Landry, Amber 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
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0
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
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OF
/ SoftballINF/C
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C/UTIL
/ SoftballOF
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/ Softball2.1.24 | Axe 'Em Insider Ep. 24 x Softball
Friday, February 02
Softball - Stephen F. Austin - 02/22/2017: Stephen F. Austin
Wednesday, February 22
Softball - Stephen F. Austin - 02/22/2017: Stephen F. Austin
Wednesday, February 22
SFA Completes Epic Comeback: SFA Softball
Thursday, May 12
