McNeese State Edges Texas State for Southland Softball Tournament Title

McNeese State Edges Texas State for Southland Softball Tournament Title

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SAN MARCOS, Texas - McNeese State beat Texas State 3-2 in the championship game of the 2010 Southland Conference Softball Tournament Saturday at Bobcat Field earning the league's automatic selection to the NCAA tournament.  

The win gives McNeese its first title since 2005 and third overall tying Northwestern State for the second-most tournament championships in the Southland.

McNeese freshman pitcher Meagan Bond was named tournament MVP after recording two shutout wins with 13 strikeouts and a 0.91 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched. Bond is the second McNeese player named tournament MVP following former Cowgirl Jessica Denham in 2005.

Sophomore Claire Terracina was 9-of-13 in four games for a .692 average setting the Southland tournament record. Terracina led McNeese in hits (9) and total bases (10).

McNeese State recorded two shutout wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (6-0) and Texas State (1-0) and allowed a tournament low 3 runs through four games.

Texas State got things going early in the bottom of the first with three doubles in its first four batters. Senior Kristina Tello led off with a two-bagger to right center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Lyndsey Matt. Up next, freshman Haley Lemons gave the Bobcats their first run of the game with a shot to center field scoring Tello. Junior McKenzie Baack followed with her second double of the tournament scoring Lemons to give Texas State an early 2-0 lead.

McNeese State senior Liz Morvant singled to lead off the top of the fourth inning followed by junior Molly Guidry who hit a two-run bomb to left center tying the game 2-2.

The Cowgirls took the lead in the top of the fifth when sophomore Claire Terracina beat out an infield single and stole second moving into scoring position. Morvant followed with an infield single and Terracina scored on a throwing error by Texas State third baseman Jenna Emery giving McNeese a 3-2 lead.

Four teams were represented on the all-tournament team as Stephen F. Austin senior Kendal Harper and UT Arlington freshman Teri Lyles each received recognition for their efforts in leading their respective teams to the semifinals. Texas State landed four selections - McKenzie Baack, Chandler Hall, Jenna Emery and Anna Hernandez. McNeese State had five selections including MVP Meagan Bond, Claire Terracina, Molly Guidry, Marissa Koetting and Heather Mosser.

McNeese State's next opponent will be announced on the NCAA Softball Selection Show on Sunday, May 16 on ESPNU.

All-Tournament Team

Kendal Harper, Stephen F. Austin
Teri Lyles, UT Arlington
McKenzie Baack, Texas State
Jenna Emery, Texas State
Chandler Hall, Texas State
Anna Hernandez, Texas State
Molly Guidry, McNeese State
Marissa Koetting, McNeese State
Heather Mosser, McNeese State
Claire Terracina, McNeese State

Meagan Bond, McNeese State (MVP)

POSTGAME QUOTES

McNeese State Head Coach - Natalie Poole
(On today's win)
"Today's game was stressful. I definitely didn't think we came out with a good start, so I was concerned with what was going to happen. I'm just really pleased with the way it turned out."

(On Kayla Shepherd as the winning pitcher)
"I'm proud of Kayla for throwing a shutout, but I'm not surprised about her ability to do it. She has overcome an injury and done really well. I'm proud of her for that. I knew that if we had to rely on her we could. She already threw one good game in this tournament."

(On being conference champion)
"It feels awesome to be the Southland champion. We came this close last year. Of course, Texas State has a very respectable program and we definitely didn't think it was going to be easy.  We knew it was going to be tough."

(On preparing for NCAA Regionals)
"To prepare for Regionals, we are going to get some scouting reports on the people we're going to play and our hope is to go out and play tough and represent this conference the way that it needs to be."

McNeese State junior pitcher
- Kayla Shepherd
(On today's win)

"I knew after we won the first game, Texas State was going to come out strong; a lot stronger than earlier, and they were going to be mad, so we had to come out strong. When Megan Bond started they were aggressive so I had to go in and come out strong and keep it away from them and keep them guessing."

"I had faith in my team. I knew they were going to come back and save us."

"It feels great to be a Southland Conference champion. I'm ready to go on. I look forward to Regionals."

 Texas State Head Coach - Ricci Woodard
(On today's loss)

"I thought we played a great ballgame. I have no complaints about how we played the entire tournament. I thought McNeese State played a great ballgame, and we played a great ballgame. No complaints."