Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team's had its attempt at winning three straight Southland Conference series thwarted on Friday, as the Lady Lions were swept by league rival Sam Houston State in doubleheader action at the Bearkat Softball Complex.

The Lady Lions, who entered the series having won eight of their last 10 contests and their last two SLC series, fell to 17-22 overall and 5-15 in SLC play. Sam Houston State improved to 19-19 overall and 10-10 in league action.

In the opener, Sam Houston State scored five runs in the first three innings and collected 16 hits on the way to a 6-1 victory. Southeastern junior Catherine Gunther (8-9) took the loss – her first in the circle in her last seven starts. Senior Allyson McCubbins hit her sixth home run of the season for the Lady Lions' lone run.

In the nightcap, Sam Houston State broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and earned a 4-3 win. Freshman Jordan Logan had a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning for the Lady Lions, but the team's rally fell just short.

The Lady Lions will look to avoid the series sweep on Saturday. First pitch for the series finale is set for 12 p.m.

Game One – Sam Houston State 6, Southeastern Louisiana 1
Southeastern threatened in the top of the first inning against SHSU starter Morgan Mikulin (8-7). Logan led off the frame with a single and advanced to third on a one-out single by senior Heather Sherrill. Mikulin recovered to retire freshman Meghan Gomezand McCubbins to end the threat.

Sam Houston State took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Amy Brown singled with one out, advanced to second on an error by sophomore Katie Duhe and scored on a two-out double by Sarah Parich.

The Bearkats padded their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Brown's RBI double scored Kendra Spivey and put SHSU ahead, 2-0. Any hope of a Lady Lion comeback was ended in the bottom of the third inning. RBI singles by Alex Survant and Hailey Wiginton, as well as a sacrifice fly by Spivey put the Bearkats ahead, 5-0.

Southeastern looked to cut into the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Tamra Ladnier drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by Sherrill. However, Mikulin forced Gomez to line into a double play to keep the Lady Lions off the board.

Junior reliever Jenna Yoder slowed down the Bearkats until the bottom of the sixth inning. Casey Everitt roped a two-out double to right field and Callie Wood followed with a single to put SHSU up, 6-0.

McCubbins spoiled the shutout bid with a blast over the left centerfield fence to lead off the top of the seventh inning. Singles by Duhe and sophomore Kelly Lyman put runners at first and second with two outs, but Mikulin struck out Logan to preserve the victory.

Game Two – Sam Houston State 4, Southeastern Louisiana 3
Southeastern freshman Katelyn Thomason (5-7) and SHSU starter Brandi Crnkovic (8-9) were matched in a scoreless pitcher's duel until the Bearkats broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. A two-out solo home run by Whitney Wilson gave SHSU a 1-0 lead.

Southeastern would rally to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning. McCubbins singled home pinch runner Bailey Zievert with two outs to knot the score. A single by Duhe put runners at the corners, but Crnkovic forced junior Chelsea Takacs to ground out to keep the game even.

Sam Houston State retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Wilson's one-out RBI single plated the frame's first run. After Thomason retired Parich, Wood came up with a two-out, two-run single to put the Bearkats up, 4-1.

The Lady Lions mounted one last rally in the top of the seventh inning. The Lady Lions chased Crnkovic with consecutive singles by junior Amber Freeman and Lyman to lead off the inning. Logan greeted Mikulin with a bases-clearing double to pull the Lady Lions within one, 4-3.

An intentional walk to Sherrill and an error on a grounder by Gomez loaded the bases with one out. Mikulin kept Southeastern at bay, however, retiring McCubbins and Duhe to strand the runners and complete the doubleheader sweep with her third save of the season.