Box Score

HAMMOND – Junior Katie Matthews hit a towering walk off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to allow the Southeastern Louisiana softball team to complete a series sweep over Central Arkansas with a 6-4 victory Sunday afternoon at North Oak Park.

The sweep was the first Southland Conference series sweep for Southeastern (14-15, 4-5 Southland) since taking three games at Northwestern State in 2008. With the three wins over Central Arkansas (12-19, 4-8 Southland), the Lady Lions continue to further distance themselves from a disappointing 2010, as Southeastern has now surpassed last season's overall and league win totals.

“We're really proud of our team's efforts this weekend,” Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois commented. “We now have some momentum and confidence that we can build on.”

Matthews finished the day 2-for-3 with a career-high five RBI. Sophomore Kelsey Nichols also homered for Southeastern, while senior Katie Duhe and freshman Megan McCollum added two hits apiece. Sophomore Kenna Terry (2-2) took the win for the Lady Lions, giving up one earned run in 4.2 innings of relief.

After UCA broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning with the assistance of two Southeastern errors, the Lady Lions answered in the bottom of the frame. McCollum singled to lead off the inning and chased reliever Kelley Martino from the game.

Cami Newsome came in and was greeted by a bloop single off the bat of sophomore Michelle Duhe. Newsome came back to force Nichols to pop out, but then walked Katie Duhe to load the bases. UCA then went to Katie McGregor to face Matthews. In her first season with the Lady Lions after transferring from Centenary, the Spring, Texas native launched McGregor's 2-2 pitch well over the left field fence to clinch the win.

“The home run she hit yesterday just did get out, but there was no doubt about that one,” Langlois said of Matthews' game-winning home run. “The key to that inning was Megan and Michelle getting on to get us started.

“Kelsey, Katie Duhe and Katie Matthews all have been swinging well, so we headed into the inning knowing that if we could get to that part of the order with runners on, they were going to give us a chance,” Langlois added. “Katie has been a great addition to our program and is really proving herself to be a clutch hitter.”

Both teams left a pair of runners on in the first inning, but UCA mounted the game's first real threat in the top of the second inning. A single by Priscilla Long with one out got the Bears started, then Lady Lion freshman Jessie Browne walked Ashlynn Tovar and Kelvon Greer to load the bases. Browne pitched out of it, retiring Candice Gauntt and Melissa Bryant to keep the Bears off the board.

UCA did break through in the top of the third inning. Melanie Bryant and McGregor hit consecutive doubles to score the first run. Nicole Beals then singled home McGregor to chase Browne. Terry kept the lead at 2-0, retiring Long and Tovar to end the inning.

Southeastern cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. UCA starter Kelsie Armstrong gave up a single to McCollum, hit Nichols and walked Katie Duhe to load the bases with one out. Matthews then ripped a sharp single to left to plate McCollum and cut the lead to 2-1. Armstrong would help UCA maintain the lead, forcing junior Meghan Gomez to ground out then striking out junior Trish Bliss to end the inning.

The Lady Lions knotted the score in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Nichols lined Armstrong's first pitch over the left field wall. The Alvin, Texas native's fourth home run of the season brought Southeastern even at 2-2.

UCA retook the lead in the top of the seventh, as McGregor led off the inning with her second double of the game. Beals then laid down a sacrifice bunt that freshman Megan Moore mishandled, allowing Beals to reach. With the Lady Lion infield rotating to cover third, nobody was covering second base. Michelle Duhe raced in to cover the bag, but Moore's throw sailed into centerfield allowing McGregor to score the go-ahead run.

Shay Ristau singled home Beals to give the Bears a two-run lead. Terry kept Southeastern within striking distance by retiring the next three UCA batters and setting up Matthews' late-game heroics.

Southeastern will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting LSU at 6 p.m. at North Oak Park. Fans wearing green to Tuesday's game will be entered for a chance to win several prizes, including a top prize of $100 cash. Live stats for Tuesday's contest will be available at www.LionSports.net.