Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NATCHITOCHES – Cali Burke's RBI single to center field in the bottom of the ninth propelled the Northwestern State softball team to a 5-4 Southland Conference victory over Sam Houston State and a clinch of the No. 2 seed in the upcoming SLC softball tournament, before falling 8-4 to the Bearkats later in the afternoon on Saturday at the Lady Demon Diamond.
 
The Lady Demons (36-12 overall, 17-7 Southland) have a shot at the regular season title if they pull out a win in Sunday's regular season finale with SHSU (32-21 overall, 17-9 Southland) and SLC No. 1 McNeese State drops a pair of games at Nicholls State.
 
“It was a total team effort today as we picked up a win and clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament,” said head coach Donald Pickett. “We're really excited about hosting the tournament and having such a high seed on top of that.”
 
NSU walked into the ninth inning tied with the Bearkats at four runs each. With one out, sophomore Brittany Virgoe reached first base on an error by shortstop Tiffany Castillo. Brianna Rodriguez grounded out to first base to give the Lady Demons two outs and bring up power-hitter Cassandra Barefield. SHSU chose to walk Barefield and take its chances with Burke.
 
Burke rocked her second hit of the game deep to center field and allowed Virgoe to score the game-winner.
 
The Bearkats did not go down without a fight as all four of their runs were scored off of home runs by Tori Benavidez in the first, Castillo and her sister Cecilia Castillo in the second and Kim Damian in the seventh to tie the game up and send it into extra innings.
 
In the bottom of the second, Barefield led off with her 13^th homer of the season with a shot over the left field fence to put the Lady Demons on the board and maintain the lead in the Southland and third place on the individual season record book at NSU in homers.
 
Burke singled and Cheyenne DelaGarza was walked to bring up Jordan Palmer. Palmer grabbed a RBI singled to the pitcher and advanced to second on a throwing error. Burke advanced home and DelaGarza moved to third on the throw.
 
The Lady Demons took the lead in the third when Virgoe singled, followed by another single from Rodriguez. Virgoe was driven in by a shot from Barefield to left center. Barefield and Rodriguez moved to second and third when Burke laid down a sacrifice bunt and brought up Natalie Landry.
 
Landry ripped one to Castillo and picked up a RBI to take a 4-3 lead over the Bearkats.
 
Kylie Roos and Kaylee Guidry (12-3) combined for 11 strikeouts and allowed just eight hits throughout nine solid innings in the circle.
 
The Lady Demons kept pace with Sam Houston throughout game two before the Bearkats pulled away with a powerful sixth inning. Jessica Slater led off the inning with a triple to center field, followed by a single from Damian, forcing a NSU pitching change.
 
Senior Brooke Boening (8-4) threw five solid innings before freshman Baylee Gray was brought into the circle. SHSU's Hillary Adams did not waste any time against Gray as she sent a shot to center field for a three-run homer just after Gray was brought into the game.
 
The Bearkats put up runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings as well, aiding in the 8-2 win.
 
The Lady Demons made their only mark of the game in the third when Rodriguez picked up her 17^th double of the season, also maintaining her lead in the SLC in doubles and doubles per game (.36). McKenney and Virgoe sat on first on second when Rodriguez stepped up and were both sent home on the hit.
 
Barefield led from the plate, going three-for-six with two RBI, followed by Rodriguez with a two-for-eight performance and two RBI and McKenney posting a three-for-nine outing on the day.
 
Boening, Paige Cavallin, Palmer and Roos will be honored after the conclusion of Sunday's series finale for their hard work and dedication to the Lady Demon softball program throughout their college careers.
 
In conjunction with the Southland Conference, Northwestern State will host the Southland Conference softball tournament May 9-11, also at the Lady Demon Diamond. The tournament will be sponsored in part by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission. Shops, restaurants and other attractions are waiting for visitors in the Natchitoches historic district.
 
Regardless of tomorrow's outcomes, the Lady Demons will begin conference tournament play on Thursday at 6:30 at the Lady Demon Diamond.
 
All tournament games will be streamed through the Southland Conference Digital Network, and the championship game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
 
All NSU games throughout the tournament will be broadcasted on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 KZBL FM in Natchitoches.
 
The Lady Demons host Sam Houston State in the regular season finale on Sunday at one o'clock on Sunday at the Lady Demon Diamond.
Northwestern State 5, Sam Houston State 4 (9 inn.)
 

 
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