Box Score

NATCHITOCHES – In a battle of two of the Southland Conference's top young pitchers, Northwestern State junior Kelee Grimes outdueled Southeastern freshman Jessie Browne, the Lady Demons took a 1-0 win in the rubber game of a Southland Conference softball series Sunday afternoon at Lady Demon Diamond.

The loss dropped the Lady Lions to 17-21 overall and 7-11 in league play. Northwestern State improved to 27-18 overall and 10-11 in Southland Conference action.

Browne (6-7) held the Lady Demons to four hits, striking out two and walking six in the complete-game effort. Blair Beard tripled and scored the game's lone run for NSU in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Grimes (7-6) also threw a complete-game four-hitter, striking out 13 Lady Lions. Senior Katie Duhe was 2-for-3 for the Lady Lions, while sophomores Michelle Duhe and Kelsey Nichols had one hit apiece for Southeastern.

Northwestern State mounted the game's first threat in the bottom of the second inning. Kayla Cole walked, Tiffany Ward singled and Beard walked to load the bases with two outs. Browne fought out of it, forcing Tara McKenney to fly out to end the inning.

The Lady Lions put a pair of runners on in their half of the fourth inning. Senior Tamra Ladnier reached on a wild pitch after striking out, allowing Katie Duhe, who singled earlier in the inning, to move to second. However, Grimes forced freshman Megan Moore to ground out to end the frame.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Beard ripped a triple into the right field corner to lead off the inning. After Katie Duhe snagged a McKenney line drive for the first out, Cali Burke singled to score Beard and put the Demons up, 1-0. Browne loaded the bases later in the inning, but was able to retire Brianna Rodriguez to keep Southeastern within striking distance.

The Lady Lions had their best chance to score in the top of the sixth inning. Nichols led off the frame by doubling off the right field fence. Katie Duhe then lofted a fly ball to the centerfield warning track, allowing Nichols to tag up and move to third. Grimes would leave her there, striking out junior Meghan Gomez and Ladnier to end the inning.

Grimes would not be threatened again, sitting Southeastern down in order in the top of the seventh to earn the shutout win.

Southeastern will return home for the next four games, beginning with a 6 p.m. Tuesday contest versus South Alabama at North Oak Park.