HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University softball team's record-setting 2022 season came to an end with a 10-4 loss to McNeese in the Southland Conference Tournament championship game Friday afternoon at North Oak Park.
Southeastern finished the campaign with a 40-16 overall record, setting a new single-season school record for victories. McNeese (38-19) won the conference tournament for the second straight season and claimed the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Friday's loss in the program's first-ever appearance in the Southland Conference championship game was a tough ending to the winningest season in school history. In addition to setting a new school standard for victories, SLU set new single-season program team marks for winning percentage (.714), fewest losses, runs (341), hits (488), doubles (92), RBI (282), batting average (.334), on-base percentage (.403), total bases (710), slugging percentage (.485) and batters struck out (325).
"We're raising the level of our program each year and I'm proud of this group for all its accomplishments," Southeastern head coach
Rick Fremin said. "This year's team has made the job enjoyable for myself and our coaching staff with their resiliency and willingness to fight. It was an honor to host the Southland Conference Tournament. We gave it our best this week, which is what I'm the most proud of."
Fittingly three of the building blocks of the program's success were among the key contributors to SLU's run to the championship game. For their efforts in their final week playing in a Lady Lion uniform, Southeastern's senior class of
Heather Zumo,
Madisen Blackford and
Aeriyl Mass represented SLU on the Southland Conference All-Tournament Team.
"Madisen, Heather and Aeriyl are irreplaceable," Fremin commented. "Their ability to communicate with the staff and lead the team will be missed."
Blackford and
Maddie Watson led Southeastern with two hits apiece on Friday, while
Cam Goodman hit a three-run home run to fuel the Lady Lion offense.
Alyssa Romano (0-3) took the loss in the circle.
A two-run single by SLC Tournament MVP Crislyne Moreno and a sacrifice fly by Kaylee Lopez gave the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead in the opening inning.
Southeastern cut into the lead in the top of the second inning. After Watson beat out an infield single, Blackford ripped a double into the left centerfield gap to trim the McNeese advantage to 3-1.
The Cowgirls took control of the game over the next several innings, plating a run in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth to take a 9-1 advantage into the fifth and put SLU on the verge of losing via the mercy rule.
Southeastern extended the game in its half of the fifth. With one out,
Blaire Bizette drew a walk, followed by a double by Mass to put a pair of runners on. On the next pitch, Goodman hit a long shot over the right field fence to cut the lead to 9-4.
McNeese got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, before SLU mounted one last threat in the top of the sixth. Blackford singled and
Bailey Krolczyk walked to open the frame and chase Cowgirl starter Shaelyn Sanders (7-2).
Whitney Tate entered the circle for McNeese.
Lexi Johnson was the first batter she faced and it appeared SLU's leader in triples, home runs and extra-base hits, Johnson appeared to clear the bases with a two-run double down the left field line, but the ball was ruled foul. On the next pitch, Johnson ripped a shot, but right at Cowgirl third baseman Jil Poullard, who was able to double off Blackford.
Tate sat down
Audrey Greely to end the sixth and then shook off a
Sarah Diaz single to start the seventh to secure the victory.
Southeastern will return seven position starters, as well as key starting pitchers
KK Ladner and
Mary-Cathryn (MC) Comeaux and the program's single-season and career saves leader
Ellie DuBois.
"We had a lot of young players that had great seasons and there's a core group here that will help us continue to raise the bar for our program," Fremin commented. "We're bringing in a large signing class that will enhance our depth. We're pleased with where our program is and expect to consistently compete for championships every season."
2022 Southland Conference Softball All-Tournament Team
Name – School – Cl – Pos.
Madisen Blackford – Southeastern – Sr. – 1B
Aeriyl Mass – Southeastern – Sr. – OF
Heather Zumo – Southeastern – Sr. – P
Crislyne Moreno – McNeese – Fr. – 1B*
Kaylee Lopez – McNeese – Jr. – UT
Whitney Tate – McNeese – So. – P
Jil Poullard – McNeese – So. – 3B
Pal Egan – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – Jr. - OF
Laney Roos – Northwestern State – So. – OF
Caitlin Brockway – HBU – Jr. – 1B
Madison Cotton – HBU – Fr. – P
Sarah Venker – HBU – Jr. – UT
* - Tournament MVP
2022 Southland Conference Softball Tournament | May 10-13 | North Oak Park | Hammond, La. (All games on ESPN+)
Tuesday, May 10
Game 1 – No. 4 Northwestern State 4, No. 5 UIW 3
Game 2 – No. 6 HBU 5, No. 3 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4 (8 Innings)
Game 3 – No. 2 Southeastern 10, No. 7 Nicholls 2 (5 Innings)
Wednesday, May 11
Game 4 – No. 1 McNeese 6, Northwestern State 5 (8 Innings)
Game 5 – Southeastern 8, HBU 5
Game 6 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 7, Nicholls 2 (Nicholls eliminated)
Game 7 – HBU 8, UIW 4 (UIW eliminated)
Thursday, May 12
Game 8 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4, Northwestern State 3 (Northwestern State eliminated)
Game 9 – McNeese 7, Southeastern 6 (8 Innings)
Game 10 – HBU 5, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3 (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi eliminated)
Game 11 – Southeastern 9, HBU 1 (5 Innings) (HBU eliminated)
Friday, May 13
Game 12 – McNeese 10, Southeastern 4 (Southland Tournament Championship Game)
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.
