JACKSON, Miss. – Northwestern State designated player
Cassandra Barefield became the program's all-time leader in home runs at 39 with her third long ball in as many days and the Lady Demons defeated Belmont 9-0 in five innings and Morehead State 6-5 on Friday.
Barefield notched an impressive five RBIs on the day while finishing four for five at the plate. NSU (6-8) pushed its win streak to four, including the first three games of the Jackson State Tournament.
"It was special," seventh-year head coach
Donald Pickett said. "She didn't get cheated. It was blast to center field. Hopefully she can get quite a few more home runs this season and continue to help us win games."
Kellye Kincannon led NSU with a three-run home run in the second inning against Morehead State (2-4), providing just enough for the Lady Demons, despite being outhit 10-5.
"Their pitchers kept us off balance but any time you get a three-run home run those change games," Pickett said. "We had a couple runners on and we got a timely hit that we needed to win. The kids fought and found a way to win. Bare(field) got a big double in the game. Skylar (Cagle) came in and threw great. She really changed the game and the momentum."
Cagle's final line including a whopping eight strikeouts in just 3-2 innings pitched along with two hits in relief of starter Bailey Gray.
Against Belmont (2-4),
Hailee Rhodes added to her recent surge, driving in three runs and notching her fifth game in six outings she recorded a hit.
Brittney Jones tallied her second home run in four games and is tied with Barefield and Kincannon for the team lead of three.
In the circle,
Micaela Bouvier picked up her third win in the last four starts and for the second straight start, one hit the opponent. This time, Bouvier went four innings holding the Bruins scoreless and providing NSU the cushion it needed.
"She had a great performance," Pickett said. "She came out and threw the ball really well. That's what we need. We need consistency out the pitchers. We've had some pretty consistent games with her."
Northwestern State continues the Jackson State Tournament on Saturday with a 10:00 a.m. game against Belmont and 2:45 p.m. outing versus Morehead State. The Lady Demons close out the tournament on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. against host Jackson State.
