NACOGDOCHES, TX ? Freshman pitcher Monika Covington tossed a four-hit shutout as Stephen F. Austin handed Sam Houston State a 3-0 defeat in the Bearkats' opening Southland Conference softball game of the 2008 season.

All three Lumberjack runs came in the bottom of the first inning. Shortstop Benet Higgs led off with a single, reached second on a sacrifice bunt, and stole third. Catcher Kim Daley reached on an infield error, allowing Higgs to score. Jessica Tullos homered to put SFA up 3-0.

Sam Houston State did not get a base runner until the third inning when center fielder Hailey Wiginton walked. Third baseman Mandy Huckabee and  right fielder Lauren Burns each singled in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, but neither got past second base.

The Bearkats first serious threat came in the top of the sixth when designated player Morgan Mikulin blasted a two-out double and Huckabee singled down the left field line to put runners on first and third. Catcher Casie Everitt flew out to center field to end the inning.

Covington struck out seven of the 25 Bearkat batters she faced. Sam Houston State pitcher Brandi Crnkovic struck out four Lumberjacks. Stephen F. Austin totaled five hits.

Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin complete the third game Southland series Wednesday with a 4 p.m. doubleheader.