JACKSON, Miss. – Northwestern State softball starter
Shelby Sells tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout and
Cassandra Barefield tied the NSU career home run record mark of 38 in a 4-0 win against Saint Louis on Thursday.
"She had a dominant performance," seventh-year head coach
Donald Pickett said. "She did a good job keeping hitters off balance. We were able to make a couple plays behind her. She kept the pressure off our defense and let us make offensive adjustments."
Barefield's sixth inning leadoff solo shot tied the program record set by Erin Mancuso in 2002. It was one of two RBIs on the day for a NSU (4-8) team that was helped by four Saint Louis errors.
"She stayed back and got a changeup out," Pickett said. "They tried to mix up speeds on her and it was a really good adjustment on her end. Hopefully she can get the next one pretty soon and get that one behind her and play softball."
Three Billiken (3-3) errors came in the third inning, allowing the Lady Demons to score two runs after recording no hits and one walk.
For NSU, it was the second time in three games the Lady Demons played error-free softball.
"It's huge to play clean and make the plays we are supposed to make," Pickett said. "I think our kids are settling in. They put themselves in good situations. We feel like we can win any game when they make those plays."
Brittney Jones registered a team-leading two hits. Her three-game hit streak has upped her average from .238 to .296 this season.
Kaytie Proctor picked up her second RBI of the season via a fourth inning groundout that scored Jones.
Northwestern State continues play at the Jackson State Tournament on Friday with a noon matchup against Belmont and 2:30 p.m. game against Morehead State. The Lady Demons face Belmont at 10 a.m. and Morehead State at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday before closing out the weekend at 10:30 a.m. against host Jackson State on Sunday.
"We play some tough teams again tomorrow," Pickett said. "Belmont will be ready to play. We want to continue to go out and build on this momentum and challenge ourselves to be consistent."
