Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team went 0-2 on the opening day of the Lion Scramble Friday at North Oak Park.
 
In the opener, Southeastern (4-9) finished with eight hits to just six for Tennessee-Martin (6-5) in a 6-0 loss. The Lady Lions stranded nine base runners, as freshman third baseman Sydney Booker and senior second baseman Vanessa Eng each had two hits.
 
In the second game of the day, the Lady Lions nearly erased a seven-run deficit in the final inning, before ultimately falling, 10-8, to Southeast Missouri (3-4). Junior outfielder Katie Lacour led Southeastern with three hits, while sophomore outfielder Sloan Jenkins and senior first baseman Teresa Lemos each had two RBI. Booker added her second home run of the season.
 
In the game versus UTM, the Skyhawks jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning versus SLU senior pitcher Tori Stamper (0-1). An RBI double by first baseman Kenzi Tate put the Skyhawks ahead.
 
Southeastern put a pair on with one out on consecutive singles by freshman outfielder Kinsey Nichols and senior shortstop Megan Moore in the bottom of the first against UTM pitcher Elizabeth Wiegand (3-2). However, Wiegand recovered to retire Booker and junior designated player Amber Sather to keep the lead at 1-0.
 
UTM padded their lead in the top of the second without the benefit of a hit. Shortstop Samantha McClure drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored an unearned run on a groundout by centerfielder Carly Gonzales to put UTM up, 5-0.
 
Tate tripled to open the third inning for UTM and scored on a ground out by designated player Casey Vincent. Later in the frame, two more runs came in on a throwing error by Moore to make the Skyhawk lead, 5-0.
 
Southeastern had its best scoring chance in the bottom of the fifth inning, as consecutive singles by sophomore catcher Lacey Fritz, Jenkins and Eng loaded the bases with no outs. Wiegand recovered by retire Lacour, Nichols and Moore to keep SLU off the board.
 
UTM closed the scoring in the top of the sixth inning. Gonzales led off the inning with a single and later scored on an RBI single by Tate.
 
The Lady Lions made one last threat in the bottom of the seventh inning. Eng singled and Lacour was hit by a pitch to put a pair of runners on with one out. Wiegand secured the complete game shutout by sitting down Nichols and Moore to end the game.
 
Southeast Missouri took a 1-0 lead in the day's second game in the bottom of the first inning. Left fielder Taylor McDannold led off the inning with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Lindsey Patterson to earn the early advantage versus freshman Nicole Ayala (2-2).
 
SEMO added two more runs in the third inning. RBI singles by designated player Claire Wernig and shortstop Leah Duffe pushed the Redhawk lead to 3-0.
 
Southeastern cut into the advantage in the top of the fourth inning. Lemos and Fritz both drove in runs to pull SLU within one at 3-2. SEMO got the two runs back in the bottom of the frame, as RBI singles by McDannold and centerfielder Kayla Fortner pushed Southeast Missouri ahead, 5-2.
 
Booker pulled SLU back within two in the top of the fifth inning. The Madison, Alabama lined the first pitch she saw opposite field and over the right field fence to cut the Southeast Missouri advantage to 5-3.
 
SEMO seemingly put the game away in the bottom of the fifth inning, sending 11 to the plate in a five-run frame that pushed its lead to 10-3.
 
Southeastern would not go away quietly in the top of the seventh inning. Junior pinch hitter Sydney McCullough drove in the inning's first run, before Jenkins followed with a two-run single. McCullough would later score on a passed ball, then Lemos drove in another run to cut the lead to 10-8.
 
Eng and Lacour followed Lemos' RBI with consecutive singles to load the bases. However, Aubrey Denno came in to lock the win down in the circle, retiring Nichols to earn her first save of the season.
 
Southeastern will close out the Lion Scramble on Saturday, facing St. Louis at 10 a.m. and Arkansas at 4 p.m. Live stats and live video (LionVision subscription required) will be available at LionSports.net.
 
2015 Lion Classic Scramble
 
Friday, February 27 – Main Field
Tennessee-Martin 6, Southeastern Louisiana 0
Southeast Missouri 10, Southeastern Louisiana 8
St. Louis 8, Southeastern Missouri 7
 
Friday, February 27 – Alternate Location – TBA
Arkansas 4, St. Louis 1 (8 Innings)
Arkansas 8, Tennessee-Martin 7 (8 Innings)
 
Saturday, February 28
10 a.m. – Southeastern vs. St. Louis
12 p.m. – Arkansas vs. St. Louis
2 p.m. – Tennessee-Martin vs. Southeast Missouri
4 p.m. – Southeastern vs. Arkansas
 
Sunday, March 1
9 a.m. – Southeast Missouri vs. Arkansas
11 a.m. – Tennessee-Martin vs. St. Louis
 
Teams listed first will occupy first base dugout
Home teams listed in bold