Kats improve playoff hopes after sweep
5/1/2016 5:13:00 PM | Softball
After sweeping the University of the Incarnate Word with three run-rule victories Friday and Saturday in their final home series, the Sam Houston softball team has it sites on nailing down a berth in the annual Southland Tournament during the final weekend of the regular season next week.
The top six teams in the final regular season standings (with the exception of Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word) earn berths in the tournament to be hosted by McNeese State Wednesday May 11 through Friday May 13 in Lake Charles, La. The winner of the tournament earns the Southland Conference's automatic berth in the NCAA playoffs.
McNeese (20-4), Nicholls (19-4), Lamar (17-7), Central Arkansas (16-8) and Stephen F. Austin (12-11) already have clinched the first five berths.
Sam Houston (11-13) and Northwestern State (8-16) are battling for the last spot. Leading the pair by only a half game coming into the weekend, the Kats picked up ground as Northwestern State lost two of three to SFA 5-3 and 7-6 in Natchitoches.
The series victory over the Cardinals featured several outstanding performances as first baseman Codi Carpenter went 8-for-9 with three doubles and three RBIs, third baseman Breanna Homer was 6-for-8 at the plate with a double, a triple and a home run and outfielder Samantha Belongia and second baseman Dani Allen both collected three hits apiece.
Lindsey McLeod, Jordan Franks and Taylor Atkinson each picked up one of the wins in the circle. The pitching staff limited UIW to one unearned run.
The Bearkats close the season playing at Stephen F. Austin in a three game series Friday and Saturday. The Kats own a four-game winning streak heading into the weekend after a 7-2 victory over Abilene Christian on the road and three home wins over UIW by scores of 9-1, 8-0 and 8-0.
The Bearkats missed the Southland tournament for the first time in four years in 2015. Sam Houston was the runner-up at the 2012 tournament in San Antonio and in 2013 in Natchitoches, La. and third place in their last visit to the event in 2014 in Hammond, La. Sam Houston won the tournament title in 2007 when the Kats hosted in Huntsville.
