HAMMOND, La. -- A first inning three-run homer by designated player Hillary Adams sparked a 6-1 Sam Houston victory over Houston Baptist in the SHSU women's second contest at the Southland Conference Softball Tournament Saturday.
The Kats now will take on Stephen F. Austin, winners in the second elimination game over Central Arkansas. Officials expect the contest to start around 6:30 p.m.
Sam Houston (27-26) exploded for 11 hits in the game including doubles by Tori Koerselman, Tiffany Castillo and Cecilia Castillo.
“When we hit the ball, we win,” SHSU head coach Bob Brock said. The Bearkats were shut out 1-0 by Central Arkansas in Thursday's opening round, producing only four hits in the loss. “We know it's a long haul to the finals today, but we've come through the elimination bracket to reach the finals the past two years and getting timely hits is how we did it.”
Twenty-four hours after the two teams were scheduled to meet in the first elimination game of the tournament before Friday's rains, the Bearkats showed no effects from delay as they quickly picked up three runs in the top of the first inning.
Shortstop Tayler Gray and third baseman Tori Koerselman opened with back-to-back singles. Adams followed up a home run over the left field fence. The blast was the junior's ninth home run of the year and moved up Sam Houston school record career total to 31.
Houston Baptist responded with a run in the bottom of the first on first baseman Melissa Herman's RBI single.
Right fielder Cecilia Castillo doubled with one out in the top of the fourth then scored on a single by second baseman Alyssa Coggins to extend SHSU's lead to 4-1.
Koerselman struck again in the top of the fifth with a one-out double off the right field wall. Catcher Tiffany Castillo scored Koerselman with single through the right side.
Center fielder Jessica Slater led off the top of the sixth with a bunt single, then stole second base. Slater scored on a Huskies' error on an attempted sacrifice bunt by left fielder Amy Pelton as SHSU went up 6-1.
Shelby Lancaster (11-10) provided solid pitching for the Bearkats, limiting Houston Baptist to four hits and while facing 28 batters.
Sam Houston lifts its record to 27-26 while Houston Baptist completes the season 22-28.
Thanks to washout of all four games Friday due to heavy rains, the Southland could play as many as five games Saturday, weather permitting, to set up a Sunday final game to determine the league's NCAA Championships representative.
