HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team opened a six-game home stand by dropping a pair of 7-2 decisions to Cleveland State in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday evening at North Oak Park.
 
In the opener, freshman third baseman Sydney Booker and senior first baseman Teresa Lemos each had RBI for SLU (7-15). Cleveland State (12-5) picked up the victory behind a 10-hit attack.
 
In the nightcap, senior Tori Stamper (0-2) took a 2-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning, but Cleveland State tied the game in the seventh and scored five runs in the eighth to earn the victory. SLU was led at the plate by junior outfielder Katie Lacour (3-for-4) and Lemos (2-for-4), while senior shortstop Megan Moore had an RBI.
 
Southeastern will be back at home this weekend, hosting Incarnate Word for a three-game Southland Conference series. Due to expected rain, the series schedule has been altered. The two teams will meet on Saturday in a 3 p.m. doubleheader and concludes with a 12 p.m. game on Sunday.
 
Game One – Cleveland State 7, Southeastern Louisiana 2
CSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning against SLU junior Madison Vige' (0-3). A two-run single by junior pitcher Susan Knight (5-2) gave the Vikings the early lead.
 
The Vikings broke open the game in the top of the fourth inning. CSU scored three unearned runs in the four-run frame to take a 6-0 lead.
 
Southeastern broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fourth. Singles by Lacour and junior outfielder Kinsey Nichols put a pair of runners on with no outs. A fly ball by Booker was deep enough to plate Lacour and Nichols would later score on an RBI single by Lemos to cut the lead to 6-2.
 
That would be as close as Southeastern would get, however. CSU added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning and Knight held SLU without a hit for the final three innings.

Game Two – Cleveland State 7, Southeastern Louisiana 2 (8 Innings)
Stamper and CSU senior pitcher Alex Radjen were mired in a scoreless pitcher's duel until the Vikings took the lead in the top of the third inning. The Vikings took advantage of a Lady Lion error to take a 1-0 lead on an unearned run.
 
Southeastern took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. A single by Lemos and consecutive walks by sophomore outfielder Sloan Jenkins and sophomore catcher Lacey Fritz loaded the bases with two outs. Radjen then uncorked a wild pitch to score freshman pinch runner Peyton Stokes-Sutton. Moore would follow with an RBI single up the middle to score junior pinch runner Amanda Livaudais to give SLU a 2-1 lead.
 
Stamper was dominant until CSU finally tied the game in the seventh inning. A double by junior right fielder Katelind Phillips was followed by an RBI single by senior first baseman Hannah Yoe to keep the Vikings alive.
 
CSU broke the game open in the top of the eighth inning. The Vikings batted around, scoring five runs to take a 7-2 lead.
 
Booker was placed on second to start the eighth inning, then junior designated player Amber Sather drew her SLU career record 81^st walk to put a pair of runners on. CSU freshman pitcher Mackenzie Joecken (3-1) recovered to retire Lemos, Jenkins and Fritz to preserve the victory.