Becker Drives in Two, Corona Notches Four Hits in Ladyjacks’ Friday Doubleheader with Lamar

Friday, April 5

Nacogdoches, Texas

1 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

22-15, 8-5

Lamar

18-21, 9-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Lamar	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	3	6	0
Stephen F. Austin	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	6	0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Lamar	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	4	9	0
Stephen F. Austin	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	7	1

Photo by: SFA Athletics

Becker Drives in Two, Corona Notches Four Hits in Ladyjacks’ Friday Doubleheader with Lamar

4/5/2019 9:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SFA lines 13 hits on the day as pair of seniors shine with Corona’s two multi-hit games

By: Luke Bolanos | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

Lamar (19-21, 10-4 Southland) at SFA (22-16, 8-6 Southland)
Saturday, April 6 | 12 p.m. | SFA Softball Field | Nacogdoches, Texas
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The SFA softball team got two multi-hit games from senior first baseman Margarita Corona and fellow senior third baseman Lauren Becker drove in two of the Ladyjacks' three runs but it wasn't enough to top a feisty Lamar squad Friday afternoon at the SFA Softball Field. The visiting Cardinals (19-21, 10-4 Southland) collected 15 hits in the Southland Conference doubleheader and scored seven runs on the day, erasing a 2-0 deficit in the series opener with a seventh-inning rally to take game one 3-2 in eight innings.

Despite leading in both affairs Friday, SFA was unable to maintain a 1-0 fourth-inning lead in game two of the doubleheader as Lamar scored four unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth frames to take the contest 4-1. The Ladyjacks (22-16, 8-6 Southland) got a 4-for-7 performance at the plate from Corona across the two games, while Becker delivered RBI hits in both outings.

"Today wasn't the outcome we wanted, obviously, we didn't play bad, we just didn't play good enough to win," commented head coach Nicole Dickson following the doubleheader. "I believe in our team and I believe in our program. I trust my players; they know what adjustments we need to make coming out tomorrow. I expect them to compete hard and grow from today, game three will be another battle. And hats off to Lamar, they played very hard today."

Game One | Loss | Lamar 3 – SFA 2 (8)
After three and a half scoreless innings and only three combined hits, SFA took the first lead of the day in the bottom of the fourth inning behind a pair of hits. Freshman right fielder Alex Hedspeth led off with a double to right center field, before Becker knocked in a two-out RBI single to right center field for Hedspeth to reach home plate.

With freshman right-hander Kassidy Wilbur dealing inside the circle, keeping the Cardinals hitless from the second to fifth innings and retiring three straight between the first and third frames, the Ladyjacks took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. A bunt single from senior shortstop Emily Wolfe led off the bottom half of the inning as she advanced to second on a successful sacrifice bunt from sophomore second baseman Bryana Novegil. Moments later, Corona smacked a two-out RBI double to left center field for Wolfe to tag home and give the home team a two-run advantage.

Lamar tallied a hit in the top of the sixth before driving in two runs on three hits in the top of the seventh to tie things up at 2-2. Following one-out singles to left field by Cardinal third baseman Taylor Murphy and pinch hitter Maddy Myers, pinch hitter Kimberly Mattox connected on a two RBI triple to right center field. SFA was unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh, sending the game into extra innings.

After a foul out, walk, fly out and another walk in the top of the eighth, Lamar got a two-out game-winning RBI single to right center field from Murphy. Wilbur would collect her eighth strikeout of the game to end the top half of the inning as the Ladyjacks headed into the bottom of the frame needing to score a run to extend the game. Despite getting a two-out walk, SFA was unable to get going offensively as the 3-2 score went final.

Corona finished the game 2-for-4 with her RBI, while Wilbur (12-11) took the loss on the rubber after striking out eight of 35 batters faced.

Cardinal right-hander Erin Kyle (7-4) collected a complete game win inside the circle with a strikeout in 34 batters faced. Both Murphy and center fielder Shannon Klaus went 2-for-4 as Mattox was 1-for-1 with two walks.

Game Two | Loss | Lamar 4 – SFA 1
Much like game one of the afternoon, game two saw three and a half scoreless innings before the Ladyjacks got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with the two teams combining for just four hits in the opening three frames.

SFA erupted for a trio of hits in the bottom of the fourth as Corona led off the inning with a double to right center field. Following a successful sacrifice bunt from Hedspeth, Becker doubled to left field with two outs for an RBI, allowing senior pinch runner Courtney Brown to score and give the Ladyjacks a 1-0 lead. Junior left fielder Madison Clements would single to left field before the inning was over but it would be the last time the home team would hold an advantage.

Lamar scored a trio of runs on four hits in the top of the fifth, getting a one-out double to center field from catcher Shaina Amir, an RBI double to right center field from designated player Jade Lewis, a single to second base from shortstop Savana Guidry and a two RBI single through the right side from right fielder Mattox. Leading 3-1, the Cardinals tacked on a fourth run in the top of the sixth. After a one-out single to right center field by second baseman Kelly Meeuwsen, Klaus singled to left field and Amir reached on a fielder's choice for an RBI as Meeuwsen scored.

Held to no hits in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, SFA collected a pair in the bottom of the seventh. Clements led off with a single through the right side and freshman pinch hitter Cassidy Tucker claimed a two-out single to right center field but a groundout thwarted any chances for the Ladyjacks and ended the game.

Corona and Clements both finished the contest 2-for-3, while junior righty starter Ashley Kriesel (8-5) took the loss on the rubber after striking out two and going four and 1/3 innings. Wilbur struck out a pair in two and 2/3 innings of relief work.

Mattox went 2-for-3 with two RBI for Lamar as Guidry had a 2-for-4 performance at the plate with a run scored. Right-hander Aaliyah Ruiz (3-2) claimed the complete game win, holding SFA to just one run and striking out two in 28 batters faced.

Up Next…
The Ladyjacks will wrap up the three-game series with Lamar Saturday at 11 a.m., before embarking on an eight-game road trip starting Wednesday with a midweek non-conference affair at Southwestern Athletic Conference adversary Texas Southern. First pitch from Houston is slated for 3 p.m. Wednesday. Saturday's series finale with the Cardinals 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-