May 13, 2011  

Highlights from Day 1 of the Southland Conference Softball Tournament

by Cheval John

The 2011 Southland Conference Softball Tournament was hosted by Sam Houston State University at the Bearkat Softball Complex in Huntsville, Texas. There would be a four hour rain delay after Game 1 that push the other games from Game 2 from their normal starting times to a later starting time. The last game would finish close to midnight. Here are the highlights from Day 1:

Game 1 (4) McNeese State 7  (5) University of Texas at San Antonio 1

The McNeese State Cowgirls defeated the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)Roadrunners by the score of 7-1 in the first game of the tournament.

Leftfielder Nikki Goff (1-2) hit a lined shot solo homerun in the top of the third that gave the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.

The Cowgirls exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run home run by shortstop Molly Guidry (1-1) and an RBI single by designated hitter Kourtney Kober (1-2).

They would add three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run by firstbaseman Katie Shumaker (2-4) and on a throwing error by Roadrunner secondbaseman Ashley Kappier.

Starting pitcher Kayla Sheperd got the win for the Cowgirls, giving up a run, with six hits and striking out seven, while starting pitcher Emily Humpal got the loss for the Roadrunners.

Game 2 (3) Texas State 8  (6) Northwestern State 0 F 6

Texas State -San Marcos Bobcats run ruled the Northwestern State Demons by the score of 8-0.

The Bobcats scored in the bottom of the first on  a RBI single by designated hitter McKenzie Baack (2-3).

In the bottom of the second, leftfielder Lindsay Matt (2-3) singled with two outs. She would score the second run for the Bobcats on a stolen base and a two base error on the same play.

They would score the third run of the game in the bottom of the third with two outs on an RBI double by secondbaseman Anna Hernandez (1-4).

Starting pitcher Chandler Hall (2-3) singled in the fourth run of the game in the bottom of the fourth with two outs.

The Bobcats added four more runs in the bottom of the six that made it 8-0.

Hall got the win for the Bobcats, going six innings with five strike outs, while starting pitcher Kelee Grimes took the loss for the Demons.

Game 3 (4) McNeese State 1  (1) Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 0 F 8

Game three of the tournament belong to the McNeese State Cowgirls as they shocked number one seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 1-0 in eight innings.

Leftfielder Alanna Divittorio (2-4) blasted a solo homerun off the scoreboard in the top of the eight that gave the Cowgirls a 1-0 lead.

The Islanders had an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the seventh as pinch hitter Stephanie Vead (1-1) singled with two-outs. Starting secondbaseman and Huntsville native Caley Jeter (1-4) pinch run for Vead and would advance to second on a walk to Designated Hitter Jamise Jackson (0-2). But centerfielder Hannah Schwarz (0-4) flied out to end the inning, leaving the game-winning run on second.

Starting pitcher Megan Bond got the shut-out win for the Cowgirls while starting pitcher Greta Cechetti got the loss for the Islanders.

Game 4 (3) Texas State 6  (2) University of Texas at Arlington 1

The Texas State Bobcats defeated the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks by the score of 6-1.

The Bobcats scored three runs in the top of the third on a pair of RBI singles by leftfielder Chandler Hall (2-4), designated hitter McKenzie Baack (3-3) and secondbaseman Anna Hernandez (1-4).

They would add three more in the top of the seventh on a pair of RBI singles by Baack, thirdbaseman Jenna Emery (1-3) and on a error by thirdbaseman Taylor Zink.

The Mavericks would score their only run in the bottom of the seventh on a solo homerun by catcher Erica LeFlore (1-3).

Starting pitcher Anna Marie Taylor struck out 12 and got the win for the Bobcats while starting pitcher Callie Collins got the loss for the Mavericks.

The Islanders (0-1) will face Northwestern State (0-1) in Game 5 on Friday at noon

UT-Arlington (0-1) will play UTSA (0-1) in Game 6 at 2:30 p.m.

The Bobcats (2-0) will face McNeese State (2-0) in Game 7 at 5 p.m.

For more information on the tournament, visit the Southland Conference website at: www.southland.org.

About Cheval John

Cheval John is the Founder and CEO of Vallano Media, LLC, a marketing agency which helps small to mid-sized businesses use social media correctly to build a loyal following and in the process become more profitable. Cheval was the host of "What's The Word?" a podcast about finding out what inspires people to choose their respective careers and how social media impacted their lives and business He is the author of two books including the Amazon Best-Seller, "8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn." He has spoken at Social Media Week Lima in Ohio and at Social Media Day Houston 2017 about topics around live streaming and podcasting. Cheval has been featured in media outlets including Ebony Magazine, Social Media Today and Forbes. He was named a Houston Top 25 Social Media Power Influencer (2016 and 2017) and a Twitter (Now X)Top 50 Influencer by Onalytica in 2018.

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