NATCHITOCHES – Southeastern Louisiana senior pitcher Spencer Adkinson threw a complete-game one-hit shutout, as the Lady Lion softball team defeated McNeese State in a Southland Conference Tournament elimination game Thursday afternoon at Lady Demon Diamond.
 
Southeastern (22-29) will advanced to face Northwestern State on Thursday at approximately 8 p.m. McNeese State ended the season with a 36-20 record.
 
"We're extremely proud of Spencer's effort today," Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois said. "To hold one of the best hitting teams in the Southland to one hit is a huge feat. She's been lights out for us in the last month of the season.
 
"It didn't hurt that unlike yesterday, we made every play behind her," Langlois added. "And another difference is that Sydney Booker, Amber Sather and Megan Moore did their job and hit the runs in today."
 
Adkinson (4-5) was never really threatened against the No. 2 seed Cowboys. The Headland, Alabama native echoed many of the thoughts of her coach.
 
"The last couple of times I've gone out there, I've had tunnel vision," Adkinson said. "I'm also fortunate to have a great team behind me that made every play today."
 
Booker led Southeastern at the plate with a 3-for-4 day, hitting a home run and driving in two runs, running her team-high RBI total to 49 – one off the single-season school record. Moore, Sather and sophomore outfielder Mychal Truxillo each also drove in a run to help SLU to victory.
 
Southeastern took the lead without the benefit of a hit in the top of the first inning. Junior centerfielder Katie Lacour, freshman outfielder Kinsey Nichols, Sather and Truxillo all drew walks to force in a run against MSU sophomore pitcher Emily Vincent (14-6). Lacour scored her single-season school record 45^th run of the season to give SLU a 1-0 lead.
 
SLU added to the lead in the top of the second inning. Freshman catcher Carlie Whittington drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on an RBI single by Booker to extend the advantage to 2-0.
 
McNeese mounted its only real threat against Adkinson in the bottom of the third inning. After freshman second baseman Hailey Drew and freshman catcher Erika Piancastelli drew consecutive two-out walks, Adkinson forced junior designated player Emily Vincent to pop out to end the inning and keep the Lady Lion lead to 2-0.
 
The Lady Lions added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning. An RBI double down the left field line by Sather plated the first run of the inning, then senior third baseman Megan Moore followed with a sharp single through the left side to give SLU a 4-0 cushion.
 
Booker helped SLU add to its lead in the top of the sixth inning. The Madison, Alabama native stroked a home run over the right field fence with two outs. Her team-high eighth home run of the season put the Lady Lions ahead, 5-0.
 
After an 85-minute weather delay, Adkinson allowed just a pair of walks in the final two innings to claim her second shutout of the season.
 
2015 Southland Conference Softball Tournament – May 6-8 – Lady Demon Diamond – Natchitoches, La.
 
Wednesday, May 6
Game 1 – No. 3 Central Arkansas 1, No. 6 A&M-Corpus Christi 0 (13 Innings)
Game 2 –No. 5 Lamar 3, No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana 1
Game 3 – Central Arkansas 6, No. 2 McNeese State 2
Game 4 – Lamar 6, Northwestern State 1
 
Thursday, May 7
Game 5 – Northwestern State 3, A&M-Corpus Christi 1 (AMCC eliminated)
Game 6 – Southeastern Louisiana 5, McNeese State 0 (MSU eliminated)
Game 7 – Central Arkansas vs. Lamar, 5:30 p.m.