Ladyjacks Shut Out McNeese 7-0 Friday to Begin Three-Game Home Southland Series

Friday, March 15

Nacogdoches, Texas

1 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

14-11, 0

McNeese

11-16, 0

McNeese

Stephen F. Austin

Photo by: SFA Athletics

Ladyjacks Shut Out McNeese 7-0 Friday to Begin Three-Game Home Southland Series

3/15/2019 9:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SFA downs three-time defending Southland tournament champion Cowgirls behind 11 hits and a one-hit complete game shutout from Kassidy Wilbur

By: Luke Bolanos | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

McNeese (12-16, 4-1) at SFA (14-12, 2-3)
Saturday, March 16 | 12 p.m. | SFA Softball Field | Nacogdoches, Texas
Facebook LIVE | Live Stats

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Tallying 11 hits and giving up just one, the SFA softball team claimed its first Southland Conference shutout of the season with an impressive 7-0 victory over visiting McNeese Friday afternoon at SFA Softball Field to begin a three-game home series. The Ladyjacks (14-12, 2-3 Southland) got six RBI from senior first baseman Margarita Corona, who went yard twice, as freshman right-hander Kassidy Wilbur collected her third complete game shutout of the season.

The Cowgirls (12-16, 4-1 Southland) knotted the conference series up at 1-1 after driving in eight runs on seven hits in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. SFA was limited to just three hits in the affair and could not stage a comeback, despite scoring in both the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings.

"I'm really proud of our team and think we played well today" head coach Nicole Dickson said following the doubleheader. "Kassidy Wilbur threw a gem this afternoon, located her pitches really well and executed them. Margarita Corona had a fantastic day at the plate as well. In game two, we just didn't pitch it as well and had some walks and free bases and McNeese capitalized when we missed."

"I'm excited about tomorrow, it's a rubber match and I'm expecting to see (Alexsandra) Flores again," commented coach Dickson. "It's going to be our No. 1 versus their No. 1 and it's going to be about which team makes the adjustments tomorrow who wins the series."

Game One | Win | SFA 7 – McNeese 0
After two and a half scoreless innings of play, the Ladyjacks broke the tie in the bottom of the third inning with a four-run, four-hit frame. Senior third baseman Lauren Becker led off with a single to left field before senior shortstop Emily Wolfe laid down a sacrifice bunt and sophomore second baseman Bryana Novegil singled to the pitcher. Becker then gave SFA a 1-0 lead when freshman right fielder Alex Hedspeth reached on a Cowgirl fielding error.

Moments later, Corona stepped to the plate and rocked a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence. Her fourth homer of the season scoring a trio of runs as the Ladyjacks took a 4-0 lead.

Giving up just a walk in the opening inning, Wilbur retired 13 McNeese batters in order before the Cowgirls got just their second base runner on in the top of the fifth. SFA's offense erupted once again in the bottom of the fifth with the Ladyjacks lining five hits and scoring three more runs. A Novegil leadoff single and a Hedspeth double, both to left field, preceded Corona's second three-run homer of the game and team-high fifth of the season. Taking a 2-1 pitch high over center field, Corona propelled the home team to a commanding 7-0 advantage.

McNeese got its lone hit of the game in the top of the seventh, a two-out single from first baseman Alexandria Saldivar.

Corona finished the game 3-for-4 with six RBI and two runs scored, while Novegil went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and sophomore designated player Triniti Kendzior 2-for-3. Claiming her eighth win of the year in the circle, Wilbur (8-8) struck out nine of 25 batters faced.

Right-hander starter Caroline Settle (3-5) took the loss for the Cowgirls after giving up three earned runs and five hits in the first four innings with two strikeouts.

Game Two | Loss | McNeese 8 – SFA 2
Much like the first game of the day, neither team was able to get much going in the first three innings. However, a four-run top of the fourth inning put the visitors ahead 4-0.

A pair of walks led to a single to left field from reigning Southland Hitter of the Week center fielder Brenique Wright, loading the bases with only one out. Catcher Aubree Turbeville then clocked a 1-1 pitch for a grand slam over the left center field fence.

McNeese would tack on two more runs in the top of the fifth, scoring on a two RBI single to right field by Saldivar.

SFA's scoring drought would come to an end in the bottom of the sixth when two walks and a passed ball led to a Hedspeth RBI groundout, allowing Wolfe to reach home plate from third base. Despite their best efforts, the Ladyjacks could get no closer than five as the Cowgirls claimed a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.

A leadoff double to left field by right-handed pitcher Alexsandra Flores and a sacrifice bunt put McNeese back in scoring position as right fielder Alayis Seneca reached on a SFA fielding error and Flores scored. The Cowgirls then took an 8-1 lead when Saldivar lined out to center field for a sacrifice, brining in Seneca for an unearned run.

The Ladyjacks claimed their final run of the day in the bottom of the seventh when redshirt sophomore center fielder Brittany Crawford knocked out a one-out solo dinger over the left center field fence for her fourth home run of 2019. Becker would get a single through the left side but a Cowgirl double play ended any further chances for SFA.

Novegil finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk as Crawford was 1-for-3 with her RBI and run scored. Junior right-hander Ashley Kriesel (4-4) took the loss on the rubber after tossing the first four innings and striking out two. Junior righty Jordan Llinas threw the final three innings in relief and struck out one.

McNeese shortstop Cori McCrary was 2-for-3 at the plate in the game and scored two runs, while Saldivar went 1-for-2 with three RBI, a run scored and a walk. Flores (6-6) picked up a complete game win after striking out three and allowing just three hits and one earned run.

Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will take on the Cowgirls in a decisive game three Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. from SFA Softball Field, before hitting the road for a midweek non-conference game at Texas A&M Wednesday.

Saturday's game will be streamed live everywhere on Facebook LIVE via SFA softball's Facebook page, while in-game statistics can be followed at SFAJacks.com.

Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Ladyjack softball throughout the 2019 season.

-SFA-