HOUSTON, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana scored seven runs in the first inning on the way to an 8-4 rubber game victory over Houston Baptist in the finale of the teams' Southland Conference softball series Saturday afternoon at Husky Field.
 
Every Lady Lion positional starter recorded at least one hit, as Southeastern (19-19, 8-7 Southland) won its first league road series of 2017. Houston Baptist (12-19, 3-12 Southland) rallied late, but fell short.
 
SLU sophomore shortstop Jaquelyn Ramon and junior infielder Mahalia Gibson were each 2-for-4 with two RBI. Junior outfielder Maddie Edmonston added two hits as well to a 12-hit Southeastern attack.
 
"The challenge was for us to win our first road series and our players met that challenge," Southeastern head coach Rick Fremin said. "I'm very pleased with the adjustments we made and our approach at the plate today."
 
In the circle, SLU freshman Alley McDonald (1-2) did not allow an earned run in 3.2 innings of relief on the way to her first collegiate victory. Emily Mueller (5-12) gave up seven runs in 0.2 innings of work to take the loss for the host Huskies.
 
"Alley has a knack for handling herself well in pressure situations," Fremin said. "We were pleased with how she took advantage of her opportunity today."
 
The Lady Lions jumped out to a big early lead, sending 12 batters to the plate in the top of the first inning. Gibson drove in the first two runs with a two-run double, while Edmonston, Ramon, freshman infielder Ali McCoy and junior outfielder Kalyn Watts each drove in runs in the frame, as SLU took an early 7-0 lead.
 
HBU cut into the lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Cecilia Bauer lined a solo home run over the left field fence against SLU junior starter Rachel Hayes to cut the Southeastern advantage to 7-1.
 
Southeastern added to its lead in the top of the third inning. Edmonston led off the inning with a bunt single and scored on an RBI groundout by Ramon to put the Lady Lions ahead, 8-1.
 
The Huskies got the run back in the bottom of the frame. Nicole Shedd drew a two-out walk and then scored on a single by Kassie James to pull within 8-2.
 
HBU chased Hayes from the game, as a pair of walks in the bottom of the fourth inning put a pair on with one out. McDonald came in and promptly forced Heidi Jaquez to line into an inning-ending double play to keep the lead at 8-2.
 
The Huskies threatened again in the bottom of the fifth inning, loading the bases with two outs. McDonald held it together, forcing Brooke Bushman to foul out to junior Alli Daigle to end the threat.
 
HBU took advantage of a pair of SLU errors to cut the lead to 8-4 in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, McDonald struck out Demi Janak to close out the win and give Southeastern its fifth victory in its last six games.
 
Southeastern will close out its road swing on Tuesday, traveling to No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest.