NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State (2-8) split action on Day 2 of the NHDDC Lady Demon Classic highlighted by an 8-0 win over Jackson State (2-7) in the day's opener. In the victory, NSU erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the second, led by
Brittany Virgoe's grand slam – a ball that just stayed fair down the left field line.
Northwestern State fell in the nightcap, 9-2 to No. 9 Baylor (9-0). However, possibly the highlight of the day came in the sixth inning when
Baylee Shephard drew a bases loaded walk.
Natalie Landry, who advanced to third, raced for home, catching the Lady Bears off guard for the steal.
"We're trying to extend the game at that point," seventh-year head coach Pickett said. "We needed another run. They left the plate open. I think they had a little miscommunication with their defense and Natalie is a heads up base runner. She did a really good job."
During the two-day tournament, the Lady Demons posted two wins over Jackson State and two losses to Baylor. NSU outscored the Tigers, 20-2 while being outscored 20-2 by the Lady Bears.
Against Jackson State,
Baylee Gray notched her first victory of the season, tossing five innings while striking out an impressive seven batters, allowing just one hit while shutting out the Tigers (2-7).
"She threw really well today," Pickett said. "I think yesterday she may have been trying to press a little bit and overthrew. Today, she trusted her stuff and moved the ball well. When we're doing that, it makes it a lot harder for them to get anything done on offense."
Four different Lady Demons secured hits on the day including
Sidney Salmans who finished 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot.
Cassandra Barefield began the second inning with a walk and advanced to third on a
Kellye Kincannon double to left center field.
Natalie Landry brought Barefield home with an RBI single. Kincannon came home on a
Hailee Rhodes fielder's choice followed by a
Sidney Salmans' RBI. After a
Micayla Sorosiak walk, the stage was set for Virgoe's grand slam.
"She's a special player," Pickett said of Virgoe. "We need our seniors to play well and we've got some good ones. Once the season settles in, I think they'll all start playing like they can."
Baylor jumped out early against the Lady Demons, scoring four runs in the first inning and two runs in the second helped by a combined eight hits in the two frames.
Northwestern State threatened in the fifth inning, as
Brittney Jones and
Hailee Rhodes reached on Baylor errors on with one out; however, a fielder's choice and strikeout ended the frame.
Micaela Bouvier drew the loss, giving up four earned runs in 1 1-3 innings pitched while walking two more.
Skylar Cagle tossed 2 2-3 innings in relief, giving up one run and four hits.
Shelby Sells also saw action, escaping a bases loaded jam in the fifth before giving up a two-run home run in the sixth. Her final line included two runs and three hits in three innings pitched while striking out four.
Northwestern State concludes its five-game homestand on Wednesday when it welcomes ULM to the Lady Demon Diamond. First pitch is slated for 5 o'clock. General admission game tickets are available for $7 and chairback seating is priced at $15. As always, NSU students are admitted free with a valid student ID.
"I thought we took a step in the right direction today," Pickett said. "I thought after the first two innings, we played (Baylor) pretty even. We just need to do that for seven innings. We've got some talent, we've just got to be consistent and disciplined in what we're trying to do."
