NATCHITOCHES, La. – Five SLU pitchers combined to hold host Northwestern State to three hits and no earned runs, as the Lady Lions picked up a 7-2 victory in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday afternoon at Demon Diamond.
 
Southeastern (27-21, 14-10 Southland) was able to bounce back from Friday's doubleheader sweep. Northwestern State fell to 22-20 overall and 16-11 with the loss.
 
Shelby Sitzman, Heather Zumo, Ellie DuBois, MC Comeaux (9-5) and Sophie Hannabas all saw action in the circle for SLU. Karlee Kraft, Madisen Blackford and Madison Watson drove in two runs apiece to lead a 12-hit attack, as Watson, Kelci Bodin and Aeriyl Mass each had two hits apiece.
 
SLU jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning versus NSU pitcher Bronte Rhoden (4-5). Lindsey Rizzo reached on an error, moved to second on a Blackford groundout, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Bodin beat out an infield single. After Bodin stole second, she scored when Watson deposited a single to right field to put the Lady Lions up, 2-0.
 
Sitzman walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. However, Zumo struck out Hayley Barbazon to keep the Lady Demons off the board.
 
Northwestern State cut into the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Emma Hawthorne reached on an error and scored an unearned run on a two-out double by EC Delafield to pull within, 2-1.
 
The Lady Demons loaded the bases in the fourth against Comeaux. Comeaux struck out Keely Dubois to get out of the inning unscathed.
 
Southeastern added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning with a two-out rally. Audrey Greely and Cameron Goodman collected consecutive singles, then Mass drew a walk to load the bases. Kraft and Blackford followed with consecutive two-run singles. After a Bodin single, Watson blooped a single behind first base to score Blackford and give the Lady Lions a 7-1 advantage.
 
Northwestern State scratched across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but could no closer, as Hannabas closed out the win to help Southeastern snap a five-game losing streak.
 
Up Next
Southeastern will be part of the eight-team Southland Conference Tournament field with the tournament running Tuesday through Friday at North Oak Park on the SLU campus.
 
The tournament schedule will be released following the completion of Saturday's competition. All of the tournament action will be televised on ESPN+. The winner of the Southland Conference Tournament will receive the tournament's automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.

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.