NATCHITOCHES, La. – A five-run fourth inning and a masterful pitching performance by Lindsey McLeod was too much for Southeastern Louisiana to overcome in a 7-0 loss to No. 1 seed Sam Houston State in the opening game of day two of the Southland Conference Tournament Wednesday morning at the Lady Demon Diamond.
 
Southeastern (34-22) suffered its first loss in the tournament after a pair of extra-inning victories on Tuesday. The Lady Lions will face No. 3 seed McNeese in an elimination game Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Bearkats (32-21) advance to Thursday's semifinals.
 
The Lady Lions couldn't get much going against Southland Pitcher and Player of the Year McCleod (19-8), who struck out 11 Lady Lions. Ali McCoy had two hits, while Jaquelyn Ramon and Mima Doucet had one apiece, as SLU was shutout for just the third time this season. The Lady Lions had scored in 37 straight games dating back to a 5-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky on March 1.
 
SLU ace Alley McDonald (13-7) sat down the first nine Bearkats she faced before Sam Houston State got to her in the bottom of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Ashley Goetz singled up the middle to put SHSU on top. On the next pitch, Taylar Fuselier sliced a two-run single inside the left field line to push the Bearkat advantage to 3-0.
 
One out later, Bailey White rocketed a double into the right centerfield gap to clear the bases and extend the Sam Houston State lead to 5-0 and chase McDonald from the game.
 
The Bearkats added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brooke Malia hit a two-out double into the right centerfield gap, then scored on an RBI single by Kyndal Kutac to extend the SHSU lead to 6-0.
 
Southeastern put its first runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth inning. Ramon beat out a bunt single, stole second and moved to third on a Lindsey Rizzo ground out. However, McLeod struck out Rebecca Skains to keep SLU off the board. An RBI groundout by Bailey White closed out the Bearkat scoring in the bottom of the sixth.
 
SLU – 000 000 0 – 0 4 1 (34-22)
SHSU – 000 511 x – 7 6 0 (32-21)
Alley McDonald, Tanner Wright (4) and Ella Manzer. Lindsey McLeod and Bailey White. W – McLeod (19-8). L – McDonald (13-7). 2B – SHSU: Bailey White (10), Brooke Malia (16). T – 1:46. A – n/a.
 
2019 Southland Conference Tournament – May 7-10, 2019 – Natchitoches, La.
 
Tuesday, May 7 (Southland Digital Network)
Game 1 – No. 5 Southeastern Louisiana 7, No. 8 Central Arkansas 6 (8 Innings) (UCA eliminated)
Game 2 – No. 6 Northwestern State 4, No. 7 Lamar 0 (LU eliminated)
Game 3 – Southeastern Louisiana 2, No. 4 Stephen F. Austin 0 (9 Innings)
Game 4 – Northwestern State 4, No. 3 McNeese 3
 
Wednesday, May 8 (Southland Digital Network)
Game 5 – No. 1 Sam Houston State 7, Southeastern Louisiana 0
Game 6 – No. 2 Nicholls vs. Northwestern State, 11:30 a.m.
Game 7 – McNeese vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2 p.m.
Game 8 – Stephen F. Austin vs. Game 6 Loser, 4:30 p.m.
 
Thursday, May 9 (Southland Digital Network)
Game 9 – Sam Houston State vs. Game 6 Winner, 11 a.m.
Game 10 – Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 1:30 p.m.
Game 11 – Game 9 Loser vs. Game 10 Winner, 4 p.m.
 
Friday, May 10
Game 12 – Game 9 Winner vs. Game 11 Winner, 12 p.m. (ESPNU)
Game 13 – Rematch if Game 11 Winner also wins Game 12, TBA (ESPN3)
 
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TICKETS
Tickets are on sale for the Southland Conference Softball Tournament, which will be played May 7-10 at Northwestern State's Lady Demon Diamond. Available options include an all-tournament pass ($20 for adults, $10 kids) and single-game tickets ($10 adults, $5 kids). With valid ID, students from Southland institutions will receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased at nsudemons.com. Click "packages" for all-tournament passes. In addition, fans can call the ticket office at 318-357-4268 or buy tickets at the gate via cash or card.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @SLUlionsoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.