Box Score

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana junior pitcher Catherine Gunther hurled a complete-game, two-hit shutout, while senior Heather Sherrill, junior Chelsea Takacs and sophomore Katie Duhe collected two hits apiece, as the Lady Lions earned a 5-0 victory over Alcorn State in non-conference softball action Wednesday night at North Oak Park.

Southeastern (11-18) battered ASU for 10 hits to sweep the home-and-home season series from the Lady Braves. Takacs drove in two runs, while senior Allyson McCubbins and junior Amber Freeman plated one run each.

In the circle, Gunther (4-8) was masterful. The McLouth, Kan. native struck out four on the way to her second complete-game shutout of the season.

After Southeastern suffered an 8-0 loss at South Alabama on Tuesday night, Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois was much more pleased with Wednesday's effort.

“The difference tonight was the aggressiveness we showed at the plate,” Langlois commented. “With only two seniors on our roster, we're a young team that is going through some growing pains. We've been pleased to see our young student-athletes continuing to improve, especially on defense and in the circle. The key for us is to continue to progress each time out. If we can keep improving, it will spell good things not only for the remainder of this season, but for the future of this program.”

The Lady Lions took the lead in the bottom of the second inning off ASU starter Michelle Lewis. Duhe started the rally with a bunt single, then stole second and advanced to third when freshman Lauren Coniglio reached on an error by Christine Garcia. Takacs followed with a single to shallow centerfield, allowing Duhe to cruise in from third and give Southeastern a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Lions padded their lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Sherrill roped her school record 45th career double off the left centerfield fence. After Lewis struck out freshman Meghan Gomez, McCubbins roped a sharp single to left, plating Sherrill.

Duhe followed with a single through the left side and advanced to second, when Adrianna Harrington attempted to throw out McCubbins advancing to third. After Coniglio then drew a walk to load the bases, Lewis uncorked a wild pitch, allowing McCubbins to score and putting Southeastern up, 3-0.

The Lady Lions added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gomez reached on an error by Bianca Armstrong to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a McCubbins walk. After ASU reliever Jennie Hatch retired the next two Lady Lions, Takacs singled home Gomez. Freeman followed with an RBI single to score McCubbins, giving the Shawnee, Kan. native her first RBI as a Lady Lion and pushing the Lady Lion advantage to 5-0.

ASU mounted its only threat in the top of the sixth, as Napua Gouveia singled and advanced to second when Lewis drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one out. Gunther recovered, however, forcing Hatch to foul out and striking out Armstrong to keep the Lady Braves off the scoreboard.

Gunther sat down ASU in order in the seventh, securing the shutout with a game-ending strikeout of Barbara White.

Southeastern will return to Southland Conference play this weekend, travelling to Northwestern State for a three-game series. The two teams will meet on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader, followed by a single game on Sunday at 12 p.m.