SFA Splits the Double-Header with South Dakota State University, Wins Game 2 in Wild Walk-Off Fashion

Wednesday, February 15

Nacogdoches, TX

11:00 a.m.

Stephen F. Austin

3-3

South Dakota State University

5-1

South Dakota St.

Stephen F. Austin

Photo by: Hunter Overholt

SFA Splits the Double-Header with South Dakota State University, Wins Game 2 in Wild Walk-Off Fashion

2/15/2023 8:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Colby Jackson, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin goes 1-1 against South Dakota State University, losing 0-2 in game 1 and winning 7-6 in game 2. The Lumberjacks move to 4-3 as the Jackrabbits move to 5-2.

Game 1

The Lumberjacks first home game of the season was a pitcher's duel, where both teams were unable to put any runs in the board in the regulated seven innings and the first extra inning. The 'Jacks had a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the eight when Mikaelah Burkland drove a triple down the left field line with only one out on the scoreboard. However, after a strikeout and a groundout, the game went into the second extra inning.

Alexis Telford pitched an outstanding game, only allowing five total baserunners in the first eight innings. But luck finally went towards the Jackrabbits as they were able to put two runs on the board after recording a single with the bases loaded. That base hit was enough to lift South Dakota State to the 2-0 victory after nine innings.

Sydnee Hebert was the only other Lumberjack able to reach base this game, as she went 1-for-2 with two walks.

Game 2

The second game started off with a completely different tone as both teams were able to put some runs up in the first inning. After the Jackrabbits put two runs up in their first at-bat, the Lumberjacks responded by putting up three runs of their own, all without recording one hit. Camryn Middlebrook, who reached on base after getting hit by a pitch, scored the first run after the Jackrabbit pitcher threw the ball in the dirt towards first base after a sac bunt by Mackenzie Bennett. Lexi Benson drove in the second run by sacrifice fly and pinch-runner Arwin Callaway scored the third after a passed ball by the catcher.

The 'Jacks lengthened their lead in the third inning by doubling their points and scoring three more runs. Benson scored the fourth run on another passed ball and Sydney Carithers followed with an RBI single. Carithers then scored herself off of a RBI groundout to the pitcher by Middlebrook.

South Dakota State was able to battle back as they scored three runs in the fourth and one more in the sixth to tie the game at 6-6. After the 'Jacks three-run third inning, they were only able to pick up only one hit in the next four innings. With the score tied at six after seven innings, the two teams found themselves going into extras for the second time on the day.

The craziness started in the bottom of the eight when Chloe Reneau led the inning off with a walk and then put herself in scoring position after stealing second base. Madison Nguyen then stepped up to the plate and laid down a sac bunt to the pitcher trying to move Reneau over to third. But as the pitcher threw the ball to first, the throw took the first-basemen's foot off the base, causing Nguyen to be safe at first. That then caused the first-basemen to argue the call with the umpire and trying to tag Nguyen thinking she ran out of the base line. However, as all of that was going on, Reneau never took her foot off of the gas and ran all the way home to score the winning run.

Brooke Gainous picked up the win for the Lumberjacks as she pitched the last four innings, only allowing one run off of three hits. Nguyen played a big role at the plate as she not only forced in the winning run, but went 3-for-5 at the plate during the second game.