Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team dropped a tough 3-2 decision to UT Arlington in the final classic of the Lion Classic I on Sunday afternoon at Chappapeela Park.
 
Southeastern fell to 2-2 on the young season with the loss. UT Arlington (4-1) finished in a tie atop the tournament standings with Nicholls. Nicholls' 3-0 win over UTA on Saturday broke the tie, making the Colonels the Lion Classic I champions.
 
Freshman third baseman Sydney Booker drove in both runs for SLU, while senior shortstop Megan Moore led the Lady Lions with three hits. Junior centerfielder Katie Lacour extended her hitting streak to 15 games, while freshman outfielder Kinsey Nichols made two spectacular inning-ending catches. Junior Taylor Bishop (1-1) was the tough luck loser despite not allowing an unearned run in 2.2 innings of relief.
 
UT Arlington jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two outs, designated player Mya Anderson deposited a pitch from freshman Nicole Ayala over the left centerfield fence to give the Mavs an early cushion.
 
Southeastern evened the ledger in the bottom of the third. Consecutive singles by sophomore catcher JoAnna Booty, Nichols and Lacour loaded the bases. Booker followed later in the inning with a sharp single to plate the game-tying runs. The Madison, Alabama native has six RBI in her first four games in Hammond.
 
The score remained tied until the top of the seventh inning. With two on and two outs, Bishop induced a fly ball to right that freshman Shelby Stewart misplayed, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
 
Southeastern managed one last threat in the bottom of the seventh inning. Singles by Moore and Booker, as well as a walk issued to sophomore Sloan Jenkins loaded the bases with two outs. However, Kayla Donaldson struck out SLU junior Amanda Livaudais for the final out to secure the victory.
 
Southeastern will host its second tournament in as many weeks, welcoming Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Houston Baptist and Southern Miss to North Oak Park for Lion Classic II. Southeastern will open the three-day tournament on Saturday, facing UAPB at 2 p.m. All of the tournament action can be viewed by LionVision subscribers at LionSports.net, where live stats will also be available.
 
2015 Lion Classic I – February 6-8, 2015 – Chappapeela Park
 
Friday, February 6
Field Six
Game 1 – UT Arlington 10, Alcorn State 1
Game 2 – Southeastern 10, Alcorn State 4
 
Field Seven
Game 1 – Nicholls 15, Southern 0
Game 2 – Nebraska-Omaha 5, Nicholls 1
 
Field Eight
Game 1 – Tennessee-Martin 7, Nebraska-Omaha 3
Game 2 – UT Arlington 8, Tennessee-Martin 0
 
Saturday, February 7
Field Six
Game 3 – Southeastern 5, Nebraska-Omaha 1
Game 4 – Tennessee-Martin 6, Southeastern 1
 
Field Seven
Game 3 – Nicholls 3, UT Arlington 0
Game 4 – UT Arlington 9, Nebraksa-Omaha 1
 
Field Eight
Game 3 – Tennessee-Martin 9, Alcorn State 0
Game 4 – Nicholls 5, Alcorn State 1
 
Sunday, February 8
Field Six
Game 5 – UT Arlington 3, Southeastern 2
 
Field Seven
Game 5 – Nicholls 3, Tennessee-Martin 2
 
Field Eight
Game 5 – Nebraska-Omaha 9, Alcorn State 1
 
Tournament Standings
Nicholls – 4-1*
UT Arlington – 4-1
Tennessee-Martin – 3-2
Southeastern – 2-2
Nebraska-Omaha – 2-3
Alcorn State – 0-5
Southern – 0-1