Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State sophomore Micaela Bouvier launched three home runs and picked up a win in the circle to propel the Lady Demons to a sweep of Alcorn State on Wednesday at Lady Demon Diamond.

NSU topped the Lady Braves 8-0 in the first game in 18-3 in the second – both in five innings.

Bouvier's three home runs were her first of the season, collecting eight RBIs in the process.

"It felt great tonight, and we had put in a lot work with (head coach Donald) Pickett and (assistants Amy Hooks and Tara McKenney," Bouvier said. "They have worked with us in tracking the ball and really getting to the point of contact and use our hips.

"(In the circle), I stayed confident in my pitches and used what worked."

NSU (6-1) is off to its best start since 1991 as they prepare for Baylor's Getterman Classic featuring the Bears, North Texas and Liberty. The Lady Braves fell to 2-2.

On Wednesday, two of Bouvier's home runs came in the first game, and she ended the game with a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Her first home run came two batters after Brittney Jones (4-for-5, two runs and two RBIs total) blasted one out of the park for a 2-0 lead.

In the circle, Bouvier struck out six and worked around four hits in the five-inning complete game.
NSU scored five second-inning runs off Alcorn State pitcher Ashley Breal (1-1), who allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits. After Jones' and Bouvier's home runs, Kaytie Proctor, Jordan Rains and Hailee Rhodes each drove in runs.

Freshman Kaylee Isenburg provided the other RBI in the first game with a double.

Pickett said the Lady Demons were more patient in the second game, which resulted in a season-high 18 runs and 15 hits.

"I thought we did pretty well, but the first game we weren't patient and swung at way too many pitches," Pickett said. "We were more patient in the second game and made adjustments.

"We got great pitching, and we need shore up a couple things because we left plays out there. But we played a lot of people, and almost everybody got an at-bat today. Bouvier really stepped up and was our big RBI producer today."

After Alcorn State scored a first-inning run thanks to one of four NSU errors on the day, the Lady Demons answered with four first-inning runs and seven second-inning runs to take control.

After a junior Kellye Kincannon RBI-single, Bouvier launched a three-run home run to highlight the first inning.

In the second inning, senior Natalie Landry and Bouvier drove in a combined three runs before Proctor (3-for-4, three RBIs) belted a three-run home run of her own to accent the scoring.

"I made good contact last weekend, but it wasn't dropping, so it was nice to actually run the bases (today) instead of going to the dugout," said Proctor, who stars as defensive catcher behind the plate. "Our pitchers are doing awesome, and they need to continue to trust their pitches like they have been doing.

"They can make great pitches. My job is to slow the game down when it needs to be or speed it up – I just need to be their friend out there."

Other offensive standouts include Jones (4-for-5, two runs and two RBIs), Kincannon (two RBIs and two runs scored) and Michaela Johnson (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) on the day.

After Alcorn's Sametria Collins singled in the first at-bat of the second game, junior pitcher Shelby Sells (1-1) didn't allow another hit and worked around two errors and a walk. Sells struck two in her four-inning win.

Junior Shelby Alexander pitched the final inning, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two.