NATCHITOCHES, La- The Stephen F. Austin softball team (19-19, 8-6 SLC) headed over to Northwestern State (4-33, 1-13 SLC) to begin their three-game series against the Demons.
Game 1:
After a scoreless first inning, the ‘Jacks got on the board in the second inning after Adelyn Becerra was hit by a pitch, then stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch to bring up Ella Hill with a runner at third and two outs. Hill smoked a ball through the left side for an RBI single, 1-0. The Demons responded in the bottom of the second with a run of their own, 1-1. In the top of the fourth, Lilly Bean reached on an error then Jamie Varga hit her fifth triple of the season to right center which brought in Lainee Ballin, 2-1. Kaylee Paul followed that with a bunt single which allowed Varga to score, 3-1. From then on, Alexis Telford and Brooklynn Stohler pitched lights out as neither team was able to put any runs on the board the rest of the game.
Top Players of Game 1:
• Jamie Varga: 1-2, one run, one RBI, one 3B
• Ella Hill: 1-3, one RBI
• Kaylee Paul: 1-3, one RBI
• Alexis Telford: 7.0 IP, six hits, one run, three strikeouts, sixth win
Game 2:
Northwestern State jumped out in the second game as they scored a run in the bottom of the first and lead for most of the game. The Cardiac ‘Jacks once again lived up to their nickname as they did not put up any runs until the seventh inning. Varga, Paul, and Mikaelah Burkland hit back-to-back-to-back singles. Burkland’s single to the shortstop gave Varga enough time to score and advanced Paul to third. After Burkland stole second, Hope Lusk reached on a sacrifice bunt which allowed Paul to score and give the ‘Jacks a 2-1 lead. The Demons would not go away easily as they tied it up in the bottom of the seventh, 2-2. Becerra hit a leadoff single to get the ‘Jacks going in the top of the eighth. After two quick outs, Varga was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with two outs. With ice in her veins, Paul battled through a six-pitch at bat with an RBI single up the middle to score the go-ahead run, 3-2. SFA was not done there as Burkland followed with a seven-pitch at bat that resulted in an RBI single to right field, 4-2. Telford came into the game with a save opportunity and held off the Demons from making a comeback.
Top Players of Game 2:
• Mikaelah Burkland: 2-4, two RBIs, two SB
• Kaylee Paul: 3-4, one run, one RBI
• Adelyn Becerra: 2-4, one run
• Jamie Varga: 1-3, two runs
• Reagan Hall: 6.0 IP, three hits, one run, four strikeouts, fourth win
• Alexis Telford: 1.0 IP, no hits, no runs, first save
Due to weather coming through East Texas and Louisiana tomorrow, the series finale has been pushed back to Sunday, April 6th at 12:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Softball at the SFA Softball Field this season! Single-game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
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By: Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications
https://sfajacks.com/news/2025/4/4/softball-jacks-sweep-doubleheader-against-demons