SOFTBALL — Northwestern State falls in series finale against Sam Houston

NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State softball team enjoyed a couple of thrilling home victories Saturday night over Sam Houston. That created a situation where a letdown could ensue Sunday, and it did.

The Lady Demons dropped a 6-1 decision to the Bearkats in the series finale. The loss drops NSU to 19-16 overall and 13-8 in Southland Conference play, while the victory improves Sam Houston to 14-26 overall and 11-10 in league action.

“It definitely was a letdown,” head coach Donald Pickett said. “We let it slip away, disappointingly. We need to be able to bring that fight — being consistent with the level of play we bring each and every day to prove ourselves. I don’t feel like we did that.”

NSU jumped out to the early lead in top of the first inning when sophomore catcher Alexis Perry was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. But that was all the damage that occurred.

And that inability to cash in with runners in scoring position persisted in the next couple innings. The Lady Demons had runners in scoring position with less than two outs in the second and third frames, but couldn’t convert.

“We’ve got to be better in those situations,” Pickett said. “You’ve got to step up in there and want to jump into that lead and keep them down. When they got out of those two innings, their confidence kept growing throughout the game.”

After knotting the contest at 1-1 in the top of the third, the Bearkats added runs in the fourth and fifth innings. They capped their scoring and provided some distance between themselves and NSU with a three-run sixth.

“Give credit to them,” Pickett said. “They came out here and stayed in the game and got the win after two heartbreaking losses yesterday. They did what they had to do to win the ballgame.”

Junior Jensen Howell received the start for NSU and took the loss, dropping to 6-8 on the season. She went four innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with one strikeout.

Sophomore Bronte Rhoden twirled 1.2 innings of relief, giving up one earned run on five hits. Junior E.C. Delafield recorded an out, while freshman Kenzie Seely worked a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout.

Seven different players registered a base hit for the Lady Demons.

Northwestern State will look to bounce back, as it dips out of conference play Tuesday. The Lady Demons host Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m.