Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TULSA, Okla. – Kayla Boening's single in the top of the eighth aided the Northwestern State softball team in a 2-1, eight-inning win over Creighton before falling to No. 21 Tulsa 9-0 (five innings) at the Tulsa Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Collins Family Softball Complex.

"We had a great game this morning, but it followed with a rough performance this afternoon," said sixth-year head coach Donald Pickett. "Despite the outcome, these games are preparing us for our conference schedule, which begins next weekend."

With the split, the Lady Demons move to 8-8 overall as the Blue Jays drop to 4-9 and the Golden Hurricane improve to 16-2.

Tulsa had a huge fourth inning to secure the win, picking up five runs off five hits, including a two-run homer from Haley Henshaw. The Golden Hurricane started scoring early, sending one runner across the plate in the first off a RBI double from designated player Jill Roy.

In the third, Jill Barrett kicked off the inning with a triple to right center and advanced home on a throwing error from Tara McKenney, sparking a three-run inning for Tulsa. Erica Sampson stepped up next and was hit by a pitch, and moved to second on a wild pitch from freshman Skylar Cagle (3-4). Roy stepped up next, sending a shot to left and allowing Sampson to score. Roy capped scoring in the inning as Cierra Hughes singled to left field.

Cagle threw three complete innings, allowing eight hits, followed by Baylee Gray throwing one full inning, giving up three hits.
With one out in the top of the eighth against Creighton, Boening singled to the shortstop with Brittney Jones at third and Cheyenne DelaGarza at first. The Blue Jays threw DelaGarza out at second on the hit, giving Jones the opportunity to score and the eventual win.

The Lady Demons got on the board first as Brittany Virgoe sent a shot over the left field fence in the third inning for her second homer of the season. The Blue Jays picked up their only run in the fifth as the bases were loaded and starting pitcher Shelby Sells hit a batter.

Sells, who struck out seven and allowed just three hits, threw five complete innings and was relieved by senior Kaylee Guidry (2-2) in the sixth.  Guidry struck out three, giving up just one hit en route to her second win of the season.

Virgoe led from the plate against the Blue Jays with a two-for-three performance and the lone RBI.

Cassandra Barefield had a two-for-five outing on the day, followed by Brianna Rodriguez with two hits in six at-bats.

Northwestern State hosts nationally-ranked LSU on Tuesday at three o'clock at the Lady Demon Diamond in the 'State of Purple' softball/baseball doubleheader with the Tigers. The Lady Demons begin Southland Conference play on Saturday when they head to Houston Baptist for a three game series beginning at 1:00 at Husky Field.