
Alexis Telford Ties Career High in Strikeouts as Lumberjacks Secure Battle of the Piney Woods Win
2/12/2025 9:08:00 PM | Softball
HUNTSVILLE, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin softball team (2-3) took a quick trip down to Huntsville for the first of two matchups this season against the Bearkats (3-3).
On the first pitch of the game, Mikaelah Burkland hits a double to left center to get the 'Jacks on base early. However, SFA was unable to bring in Burkland from second. On the other side, Alexis Telford earned the start in the circle for the 'Jacks and was dealing early as she recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the first inning.
SFA got on the board in the top of the third after a leadoff double from Jamie Varga and a fielder's choice from Burkland brought up Hope Lusk who laid down a beautiful bunt to bring in Varga from third, 1-0.
Sam Houston put two runners on in the third but were unable to bring either of them in. The pitcher's duel continued between Telford and the Bearkat staff as the next hit did not come until the top of the fifth. Telford picked up back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth then forced a groundout to strand two runners.
The 'Jacks tried to add on in the seventh after Lusk reached on an error that was followed up by a single from Ellie Vance, but two flyouts ended the top of the seventh. It was up to Telford to finish off a complete game shutout and that is just what she did as she forced a groundout to the shortstop to secure a 1-0 win for the Lumberjacks. Telford's nine strikeouts ties her career high that she set on February 15th against South Dakota State.
Top Players of the Game:
• Alexis Telford: 7.0 IP, nine strikeouts (tied career high), nine groundouts, 105 pitches
• Hope Lusk: 1-2, one RBI
• Mikaelah Burkland: 1-4, one 2B
• Jamie Varga: 1-2, one run scored, one 2B
The 'Jacks begin the Bobcat Tournament against host Texas State tomorrow, February 13th at 5:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Softball at the SFA Softball Field this season! Single-game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA Softball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
On the first pitch of the game, Mikaelah Burkland hits a double to left center to get the 'Jacks on base early. However, SFA was unable to bring in Burkland from second. On the other side, Alexis Telford earned the start in the circle for the 'Jacks and was dealing early as she recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the first inning.
SFA got on the board in the top of the third after a leadoff double from Jamie Varga and a fielder's choice from Burkland brought up Hope Lusk who laid down a beautiful bunt to bring in Varga from third, 1-0.
Sam Houston put two runners on in the third but were unable to bring either of them in. The pitcher's duel continued between Telford and the Bearkat staff as the next hit did not come until the top of the fifth. Telford picked up back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth then forced a groundout to strand two runners.
The 'Jacks tried to add on in the seventh after Lusk reached on an error that was followed up by a single from Ellie Vance, but two flyouts ended the top of the seventh. It was up to Telford to finish off a complete game shutout and that is just what she did as she forced a groundout to the shortstop to secure a 1-0 win for the Lumberjacks. Telford's nine strikeouts ties her career high that she set on February 15th against South Dakota State.
Top Players of the Game:
• Alexis Telford: 7.0 IP, nine strikeouts (tied career high), nine groundouts, 105 pitches
• Hope Lusk: 1-2, one RBI
• Mikaelah Burkland: 1-4, one 2B
• Jamie Varga: 1-2, one run scored, one 2B
The 'Jacks begin the Bobcat Tournament against host Texas State tomorrow, February 13th at 5:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Softball at the SFA Softball Field this season! Single-game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA Softball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Telford, Alexis (2-0)
L: Abigail Young (0-1)

Batting:
2B: Burkland, Mikaelah 1 ; Varga, Jamie 1
RBI: Lusk, Hope 1
SH: Lusk, Hope 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Varga, Jamie 1
SB: Vance, Ellie 1

Batting:
2B: Bella Perez 1
SH: Kristyn Whitlock 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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