Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Junior Katie Matthews and sophomore Kelsey Nichols each homered and drove in three runs to lead Southeastern Louisiana to a 9-5 win over Southern Miss in non-conference softball action Wednesday night at the USM Softball Complex.

Southeastern improved to 22-27 overall with the win in its non-conference finale. Southern Miss dropped to 17-34 overall with the loss.

In addition to the production of Matthews and Nichols, senior Tamra Ladnier drove in two runs for the Lady Lions. Senior Bailey Zievert (5-1) pitched six innings in relief, allowing two runs for the Lady Lions to earn the victory.

The Lady Lions took the early lead in the top of the first inning against USM starter Courtney Ramos, as Nichols reached on a fielder's choice and senior Katie Duhe drew a walk to put a pair of runners on. Matthews then followed with a three-run blast that easily cleared the left field fence. The Spring, Texas native's team-high sixth home run of the season gave the Lady Lions a 3-0 lead.

Southern Miss came back to tie the game against Lady Lion freshman Jessie Browne. An error by Nichols led to two unearned runs and a 3-3 tie after one inning.

Southeastern retook the lead in the top of the third inning against USM reliever Kelly Smith (2-3). A single by freshman Megan McCollum, followed by walks to Katie Duhe and Matthews loaded the bases with one out. Ladnier followed with a two-run double into the right field corner to score McCollum and Duhe to put the Lady Lions ahead, 5-3.

The Lady Lions tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Junior Lauren Coniglio drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a bunt single by sophomore Michelle Duhe. Coniglio would later come home on a sacrifice fly by McCollum, then Nichols laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to plate Duhe and give Southeastern a 7-3 lead.

Zievert ran into her first trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Leslie Lejune doubled to the right field fence and Taylor Brown drew a walk to put two runners on with two outs. However, Zievert forced Britney Dinelt to line out to Michelle Duhe in center to keep the Southeastern lead at four.

USM again threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out on singles by Michelle Takada and Chanell Thurman and a walk by Alexis Hurley. However, Zievert retired Danielle Lapointe and Brittany Lilly to maintain the 7-3 Southeastern lead.

The Lady Lions added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning. Coniglio drew a leadoff walk and one out later, Nichols powered her fifth home run of the year over the left field fence for a 9-3 Southeastern lead.

Southern Miss finally got to Zievert in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lejune led off the inning with a single and scored when Jill Mathis lined a two-out pitch over the left field fence to pull USM to within, 9-5.

Southeastern will close out its 2011 slate hosting McNeese State for a three-game Southland series at North Oak Park. On Saturday, the two teams meet in a 3 p.m. doubleheader. All military personnel receive free admission with their military ID. On Sunday, free ice cream will be served until it runs out. Prior to Sunday's 12 p.m. first pitch, seniors Zievert, Katie Duhe, Ladnier and Heather Grivas will be honored in a special Senior Day ceremony.