Sophomore designated player Ashley Isbell's solo shot over the center field fence in the top of the seventh inning powered Sam Houston to a 2-1 victory over Stephen F. Austin Tuesday in the opening Southland Conference softball game of 2011 for both teams.

The Bearkats followed up by run-ruling the Jacks 10-2 in six innings in the doubleheader nightcap. Shortstop Hailey Wiginton and outfielder Alex Survant opened the second with home runs in the first inning.

Both contests were played at the SFA Softball Field. The pair will complete the three-game series Tuesday.

In the first game, both teams collected five hits in a tight defensive battle. Junior Tomi Garrison, the winning pitcher for the Bearkats, faced 28 batters, walking three and striking out one.

Sam Houston (9-13, 2-0) drew first blood, scoring one run in the top of the second inning. Alex Survant walked with one out, moved to third on a double by Kim Damian and scored on a sacrifice fly by Sarah Allison.

A pair of walks to lead off the bottom of the third inning set up SFA's only score. Catcher Cathy Singleton's RBI single accounted for the run. Wiginton led Sam Houston at the plate with a pair of doubles.

The Bearkats totaled 14 hits in the second contest with Survant going 3-for-4 at the plate and Wiginton, Kim Damian, Tayler Gray and Shelbi Tucker each producing a pair of hits.

Courtney Schoenemann was the winning pitcher for Sam Houston in the second game, spreading five hits over six innings.