Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin split a Southland Conference softball doubleheader Saturday, the Bearkats winning the first game 4-0 and the Jacks the nightcap 5-4 in eight innings.
Designated player Hillary Adams and first baseman Sarah Allison led the Kats at the plate each with three hits in the two games. Sam Houston now stands 26-23 for the year and 15-9 in Southland Conference play.
The Bearkats clinched their third straight Southland tournament berth with the opening win. A victory against SFA in Sunday's 12 noon single game or a loss by Northwestern State would earn the SHSU a runner-up finish in the final league standings.
SFA nailed down their tournament berth as well with the victory in the tournament. The Jacks now stand 23-25 for the season and 13-11 in the league.
A lead-off triple by second baseman Sarah Coggins and a two-run single by designated player Hillary Adams broke open a scoreless pitcher's duel in the bottom of the sixth inning of the opening game.
Starters Shelby Lancaster and Carlie Thomas of SFA had combined to give up only three hits in the first six and a half innings of the contest.
After Coggins tripled to deep right center, pinch hitter Dani Allen singled to left for SHSU's first run.
Allen and shortstop Tayler Gray were both safe on a fielder's choice. After Jessica Slater replaced Allen, the pair moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Tori Koerselman.
Adams single to right field scored both runners. First baseman Sarah Allison completed the scoring with an RBI double to right.
Lancaster (10-8) was the winner in the circle for Sam Houston, retiring 21 of the 24 batters she faced, limiting the Jacks to three hits and striking out four.
A two-run homer to right center by second baseman Brittany Lewis highlighted a three-run first inning as SFA jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Bearkats ever batted in the nightcap.
Run-scoring singles by catcher Tiffany Castillo and first baseman Sarah Allison got two of the runs back in the bottom of the first inning.
Allison tied the game 3-3 with a two-out home run in the bottom of the third inning. The shot over the center field fence was Allison ninth of the season and 22nd of her career. Allison now stands No. 3 in all-time Sam Houston career home runs.
First baseman Shalie Day put SFA back in front 4-3 with her eight home run of the season to center field.
The Kats tied the contest at 4-4 in the sixth as an RBI single by pinch hitter Hannah Marino scored Adams who led off the inning with a single. Sam Houston had the bases loaded two out in the bottom of the seventh but could not get a run across to force extra innings.
Pinch runner Chelsie Wilson scored in the top of the first extra inning, tallying SFA's fifth run on a wild pitch and an error.
Haley Baros (10-11) was the loser in relief for Sam Houston in the second game.
