HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University softball team completed its third consecutive Southland Conference series sweep with an 8-4 Senior Day victory over league foe Northwestern State Saturday afternoon at North Oak Park.
Following the win, SLU (36-8, 13-2 SLC) recognized the 2024 senior class of
Sophia Stoddard,
Sadie Hewitt,
Ka'Lyn Watson,
Mary-Cathryn (MC) Comeaux,
Ellie DuBois,
Cam Goodman,
Cera Blanchard,
Lexi Johnson,
Audrey Greely and
Bailey Krolczyk. During their careers, Southeastern has enjoyed the winningest stretch in program history, winning 156 games since the start of the 2022
The seniors played a significant role in Saturday's win over NSU (14-26, 2-13 SLC) – the Lady Lions' 10
th straight SLC victory. Blanchard (15-2) and Comeaux combined to hold the Demons to five hits.
Ka'Lyn Watson led off the game with a home run, while Krolczyk, Johnson and Hewitt all drove in runs.
SLU freshman
Chloe Magee added a pair of RBI for Southeastern, which claimed the Cypress Trophy for the third straight season. The Lady Lions have won 13 of its last 14 contest after the series sweep.
Southeastern took the lead in the bottom of the first inning against NSU starter Maggie Darr (5-13). Watson lined a solo home run over the left field fence to lead off the inning. Later in the frame, Krolczyk doubled home Magee to give SLU a 2-0 lead.
Northwestern State tied it up with a two-run double by Mia Liscano in the top of the second, but the Lady Lions retook the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning. Singles by Greely and
Colleen Kulivan put a pair on to start the inning, then Magee laced a two-out double to give SLU a 4-2 lead.
Blanchard and NSU reliever Kenzie Seely matched zeroes until Southeastern broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning. Johnson singled home the inning's first run. A double steal by
Brilee Broussard and
Faith Kivett increased the lead to 6-2, then Broussard stole third and scored on a NSU throwing error. Later in the inning, Greely walked, then scored when Hewitt lined a pinch-hit RBI double into the left centerfield gap to give SLU an 8-2 advantage.
A two-run triple by Taylor Williams cut the Southeastern lead to 8-4 with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. However, the Demons would get no closer, as
Ka'Lyn Watson made a juggling, diving catch on a Tristin Court fly ball to close out the victory.
Southeastern will return to action next weekend, traveling to Nicholls for a three-game Southland Conference series. The series opens with a 4 p.m. doubleheader Friday and concludes with a noon contest Saturday. Friday's twin bill will be televised on ESPN+.
