HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team's championship hopes were dashed with a 2-1 loss to Central Arkansas in an elimination game at the 2021 Southland Conference Softball Tournament Friday afternoon at North Oak Park.
 
Southeastern finished the season with a 28-23 overall record. Central Arkansas (36-18) advanced to another elimination game versus Northwestern State Friday night at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Bears broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh, plating a pair of runs. Lexi Johnson cut the lead in half with her first collegiate home run in the bottom of the frame, but SLU could get no closer.
 
The game unfolded as a pitcher's duel between the team's respective aces – Kayla Beaver (19-6) of Central Arkansas and Heather Zumo (16-7) of Southeastern.
 
Neither team threatened until the bottom of the fourth. Kelci Bodin beat out a bunt single and Madison Watson was hit by a pitch to put two Lady Lions on board with no outs. However, Beaver struck out Cameron Beal, then Bodin and pinch runner Shelby Sitzman got caught in a rundown where both were retired to end the threat.
 
UCA mounted a threat of its own in the top of the sixth. Kaylyn Shepherd singled, then Cylla Hill drew a walk to a pair on with two outs. However, Zumo retired Kristen Whitehouse to keep the Bears off the board.
 
Central Arkansas took the lead for good in the seventh. Jaylee Engelkes hit the first pitch of the frame over the right centerfield fence to put the Bears ahead. An RBI single by Mary Kate Brown padded the cushion and sent SLU into its final at-bat trailing, 2-0.
 
The second run of the frame proved crucial, as Johnson lined a home run just inside the right field foul pole to cut the lead in half. Beaver recovered to retire Karlee Kraft and Audrey Greely to secure the victory.
 
2021 Southland Conference Softball Tournament
May 12-15 | Hammond, La.
 
Wednesday, May 12
Game 1 – No. 7 Sam Houston 4, No. 6 Houston Baptist 3 (HBU eliminated)
Game 2 – No. 5 Southeastern Louisiana 4, No. 8 Abilene Christian 3 (8 Innings) (ACU eliminated)


Thursday, May 13
Game 3 - No. 3 McNeese 3, Sam Houston 1
Game 4 - No. 4 Northwestern State 7, Southeastern Louisiana 4
Game 5 – McNeese 6, No. 2 Central Arkansas 5
Game 6 – No. 1 Stephen F. Austin 4, Northwestern State 1
 
Friday, May 14
Central Arkansas 2, Southeastern Louisiana 1 (SLU eliminated)
Northwestern State 8, Sam Houston 0 (5 Innings) (SHSU eliminated)
4 p.m. – Game 9 – McNeese vs. Stephen F. Austin
6:30 p.m. – Game 10 – Central Arkansas vs. Northwestern State
 
Saturday, May 15 (Championship)
11 a.m. – Game 11 – Loser Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10
1 p.m. – Game 12 – Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 11
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail and text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball 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 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.