Box Score

HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team closed its 2011 season on Sunday, falling to McNeese State, 11-2, at North Oak Park.

Southeastern finished the season with a 22-30 overall record and an 11-19 mark in Southland Conference play. The win total more than doubled last season's tally and Southeastern won nearly four times as many league games in 2011 as they did a season ago. McNeese State (29-27, 18-12 Southland) will be the fourth seed in next week's Southland Conference Tournament in Huntsville, Texas.

The Lady Lions jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Michelle Duhe reached on an error and two outs later scored on an RBI single by sophomore Kelsey Nichols.

McNeese State came back to take the lead for good in the top of the second inning. A throwing error and a passed ball gave the Cowgirls their first two runs, while Kourtney Kober singled in another run to push the lead to 3-1.

The Cowgirls added to their lead in the top of the third inning. Molly Guidry doubled in the inning's first run, then Dani Price laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to force in another run. An RBi single by Lindsey Langner closed out the frame's scoring and ran the score to 6-1.

Southeastern threatened in the bottom of the third, as senior Katie Duhe doubled off the left centerfield wall. However, Nichols lined out to end the threat.

McNeese State broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning that saw it send 10 batters to the plate. Stacey Conley led off the inning with a home run, then Guidry followed with a two-run double and Price added a two-run single to give the Cowgirls a 11-1 advantage.

Southeastern cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Michelle Duhe and freshman Megan McCollum singled, then senior Katie Duhe walked to load the bases. Nichols followed with a long fly ball deep enough to score Michelle Duhe. A single by junior Meghan Gomez loaded the bases again, but Kayla Shepherd (18-16) retired senior Tamra Ladnier and junior Trish Bliss to close out the game.

Prior to the game, Southeastern honored 2011 seniors Heather Grivas, Bailey Zievert, Ladnier and Katie Duhe. Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois was quick to offer praise for the quartet playing in its final game.

“We didn't finish the season out like we'd hoped, but we're definitely a program heading in the right direction and our seniors have been a big part of that,” Langlois said. “Heather was a real anchor defensively behind the plate and was continuing to improve offensively before she got injured. Bailey had a great senior season (5-1 in the circle) and was a key reason for our improvement this season.

“Tamra was gold at first base defensively throughout her career and we're going to miss her leadership,” Langlois added. “Katie's been excellent on the field and more importantly in the classroom since she's been here, continuing a tradition of academic excellence started by players like (former Lady Lion) Brooke Lockhart. We're going to miss her big bat in the middle of the lineup.”

While Southeastern will be looking to replace those key seniors, Southeastern has a strong foundation to build upon. Nichols will return after hitting .359 for the season and she teams with Gomez and junior Katie Matthews to form a returning middle of the lineup that accounted for 16 home runs and 61 RBI.

“We threw a lot of young players out there all season and that's going to benefit us in the future,” Langlois commented. “Kelsey developed into a complete hitter this season and we're fortunate to have her, Meghan and Katie (Matthews) back to be our leaders on and off the field next season. Kenna Terry won more than half of our conference games in the circle and we feel we can count on her going forward.

“We also saw some good things from freshmen Megan McCollum, Megan Moore, Tori Sheppard, Hali Westmoreland and Jessie Browne,” Langlois continued. “Now they all have a year of Division I experience under their belt and we expect them all to continue to improve. We expect to add some more key pieces during recruiting, so we're excited about what the coming years are going to bring.”