NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin softball team (15-18, 5-5 SLC) finally kicked off their weekend series against Houston Christian (12-18, 5-5 SLC) on Saturday night.
After Alexis Telford sat the Huskies down in order in the top of the first, the ‘Jacks got on the board early after Ellie Vance reached on a fielding error and was brought in after Kyi’Marri Ester sent a rocket out to left center for an RBI double, 1-0. After one and a half scoreless innings, SFA extended their lead in the bottom of the third after Hope Lusk was hit by a pitch and then stole second, Ester hit her second RBI double of the day down the right field line, 2-0. Kelby Robbins then hit a single to second base which allowed Ester to advance to third. Adelyn Becerra stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third with one out and skied one out to right field that allowed Ester to score, 3-0.
SFA doubled their lead in the fourth after Jamie Varga hit her fourth triple of the season to left center, Mikaleah Burkland blasted a home run over the left field fence, 5-0. Lusk followed with a single to shortstop and was brought in by Vance who hit an RBI triple to right center, 6-0. Telford continued to keep the Huskies off the board in the fifth and sixth innings. The ‘Jacks started the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff single from Kaylee Paul. Burkland then grounded out to third, but got Paul to second, then Paul stole third which left the door wide open for Lusk to smash an RBI double to right field, 7-0. Vance stepped up to the plate with a runner on second and one out with a chance to walk-off the game for the ‘Jacks, and that is just what she did as she smoked a ball past the outstretched glove of the second baseman to score Sammy Hagman from second and secure an 8-0 run rule win for the ‘Jacks.
Top Players of the Game:
• Kyi’Marri Ester: 2-3, one run, two RBIs, two 2B
• Ellie Vance: 2-4, one run, two RBIs, one 3B
• Hope Lusk: 2-3, two runs, one RBI, one 2B
• Mikaelah Burkland: 1-4, one run, two RBIs, one HR
• Alexis Telford: 6.0 IP, five hits, two walks, four strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, fifth win, fourth CG
The ‘Jacks will finish the series against the Huskies tomorrow, Sunday, March 30th with a doubleheader scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 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.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA Softball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.