HAMMOND – A five-run third inning was too much for Southeastern Louisiana to overcome in a 8-3 loss to Sam Houston State in Southland Conference softball action Saturday afternoon at North Oak Park.
SLU (14-18, 9-2 Southland) had already clinched the series with a doubleheader sweep on Friday, but Saturday's loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Lady Lions, who have won the first four Southland Conference series of the season. Sam Houston State (9-21, 2-9 Southland) collected 10 hits against Southeastern senior
Tori Stamper (2-4) and junior
Madison Vige'.
In the loss, Southeastern sophomore catcher
Lacey Fritz hit her fourth home run of the season, while junior outfielder
Katie Lacour and senior infielder
Megan Moore each drove in runs. Lacour finished with a team-high three hits, raising her league-leading total to 55, while freshman infielder
Sydney Booker hit her team-high eighth double of the season.
Sam Houston State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Junior catcher Tiffany Castillo led off the frame with a home run to give the Bearkats the early advantage.
SLU knotted the score in the top of the second inning. Moore walked, senior first baseman
Teresa Lemos reached on an error and senior second baseman
Vanessa Eng walked to load the bases versus SHSU senior Meme Quinn (4-5). Lacour followed with a sharp single up the middle to plate freshman pinch runner
Grace DeLee and tie the game at 1-1.
SHSU broke open the game in the top of the third inning. A three-run home run by senior first baseman Hillary Adams highlighted a five-run Bearkat frame to give Sam Houston State a 6-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Booker led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Moore to cut the lead to 6-2. With one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Fritz lifted her fourth home run over the left centerfield fence to pull SLU within three runs at 6-3.
SLU would get no closer, however. The Bearkats added two runs in the sixth inning to close out the victory.
Southeastern will be back in action on Friday, opening a three-game Southland Conference series with a 4 p.m. doubleheader versus Lamar at North Oak Park. Live stats and live video (LionVision subscription required) will be available at LionSports.net.
