HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana senior pitcher
Rachel Hayes allowed two hits in a complete-game effort, as the Lady Lion softball team closed out Lion Classic II with a 2-1 win over Detroit on Sunday afternoon at North Oak Park.
Southeastern (7-1) finished with a tournament-best 4-1 record over the three days to take the 2018 Lion Classic II title.
The tournament's final game saw the Lady Lions and the Titans combine for four hits in a pitcher's duel. Hayes (2-0), celebrating her 22
nd birthday on Sunday, went the distance in the circle, holding Detroit to two hits and carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
"Rachel did exactly what we needed her to do today," Southeastern head coach
Rick Fremin said. "Her defense did a great job behind her as well, as we turned a couple of phenomenal double plays. We're really pleased where we're at as a team right now and we're happy about taking the Lion Classic this weekend."
SLU took the lead for good versus Detroit starter Ashley Mauser (0-2) in the bottom of the second inning. Junior first baseman
Rebecca Skains reached on an error by Kori Keyes to lead off the inning, then scored when freshman infielder
Madison Watson tripled into the right field corner to give SLU a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, senior outfielder
Maddie Edmonston used her speed to double the Southeastern lead. The St. Amant, Louisiana native led off the inning with a sharp single though the left side, stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch by Mauser to put the Lady Lions up, 2-0.
Hayes did not allow a hit until catcher Jordan Manno singled to left field with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Keyes followed with a single to right field. SLU freshman outfielder
Madisen Blackford's throw to third sailed wide when Manno and Watson collided, allowing Manno to score an unearned run to cut the SLU advantage to 2-1.
Southeastern loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs. Senior pinch hitter
Peyton Sutton hit a shot up the middle that was destined to score multiple runs. However, freshman catcher
Ella Manzer collided with Detroit shortstop Courtney Gilbert on the base paths and was called out for interference.
Hayes made the lead stand up in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, first baseman Skylar Fairchild drew a one-out walk to put the tying run aboard. However, the right hander from Ocean Springs, Mississippi retired right fielder Sydney Pollock and designated player Kara Vitale to secure the win.
After playing the first eight games of the season at home, Southeastern will play its next 11 games away from North Oak Park. The road swing starts on Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. contest at Mississippi State. The contest in Starkville, Mississippi will be televised on SEC Network+. Links to live video and stats will be accessible on the softball schedule page at
www.LionSports.net.
2018 Lion Classic II | Feb. 16-18 | North Oak Park
Friday, Feb. 16
Field One
Belmont 8, Omaha 0
Southeastern Louisiana 4, Omaha 1
Southeastern Louisiana 6, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 0
Saturday, Feb. 17
Field One
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 6, Belmont 5
Southeastern Louisiana 6, Belmont 5 (8 Innings)
Omaha 11, Southeastern Louisiana 9 (8 Innings)
Omaha 6, Detroit 5 (8 Innings)
Field Three
Detroit 2, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1
Sunday, Feb. 18
Field One
Belmont 8, Detroit 4
Southeastern Louisiana 2, Detroit 1
Field Three
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2, Omaha 1
Belmont 4, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1
Tournament Standings
Southeastern – 4-1
Belmont – 3-2
Omaha – 2-3
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 2-3
Detroit – 1-3
