Box Score

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana sophomore Meghan Gomez and freshman Kelsey Nichols each drove in runs, but Northwestern State broke a 2-2 tie with four unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning on the way to a 6-2 Southland Conference victory over the Lady Lions in Southland Conference action Sunday afternoon at North Oak Park.

The Lady Lions (9-24, 2-14 SLC) also were aided by two hits by sophomore Jordan Logan. With the series sweep, the Lady Demons improved to 20-18 overall and 7-11 in league action.

With the score tied at 2, Southeastern sophomore starter Katelyn Thomason (4-8) retired the first two batters in the top of the seventh inning. She then forced NSU's Kayla Cole to hit a flare towards short, but Lady Lion junior Katie Duhe misplayed it to keep the inning alive. A single by Samantha Roberts was followed by Thomason hitting Ashleigh Kuhn to load the bases. Ashlee England broke the tie, ripping a three-run double into the left centerfield gap to clear the bases. A single by Tiffany Ward plated England to put the Demons up, 6-2

After Thomason (4-8) and NSU counterpart Kelee Grimes (4-4) both shook off leadoff singles in a scoreless first inning, the Lady Demons took the early lead in the top of the second inning. Kuhn led off the inning with a single and scored on a double by Sally Blackwell to give NSU an early 1-0 lead.

Southeastern answered quickly in the bottom of the second inning. Gomez led off the frame with a home run over the left centerfield fence. The Alvin, Texas native's team-high fifth home run of the season evened the score at 1.

In the top of the third, NSU reclaimed the lead. Thomason issued consecutive walks to Stormi Stech and Cole to put runners at first and second with one out. Roberts followed with a single to left to score Stech and put the Lady Demons up, 2-1.

The Lady Lions used a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to knot the score. Freshman Michelle Duhe singled, stole second and scored on a single up the middle by Nichols. Thomason then drew a walk and Nichols stole third to give the Lady Lions runners at the corners, but Grimes forced Gomez to pop out to end the inning.

Neither team threatened in the sixth inning before NSU broke the game open in the seventh. Logan led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, but Grimes forced Michelle Duhe to line into a double play. Nichols then flew out to left field to end the contest.

Southeastern will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting Southern at 4 p.m. at North Oak Park.