Northwestern State Wins Thriller to Claim Softball Championship

5/11/2013 8:30:00 PM

Southland Conference

Replay Game One | Replay Game Two | Photos | Box Score

NATCHITOCHES, La. – Down to its last strike and trailing 4-3 with bases loaded, Northwestern State pushed two runs across on a single from Cali Burke to claim a 5-4 win over Sam Houston State and win the 2013 Southland Conference Softball Championship at the Lady Demon Softball Complex in Natchitoches, La.

Northwestern State wins its fourth conference tournament and its first since 2002, a year in which the Lady Demons also hosted the conference tournament. Northwestern State claims the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and returns to the postseason for the first time in 11 years. The Lady Demons will find out its postseason during Sunday’s selection show at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

Sam Houston State clawed its way back through the loser’s bracket for the second consecutive year only to come up short again. The Bearkats played in seven games in three days and was one strike from winning its third conference tournament and first since 2007. The Bearkats fought the entire way and placed runners on second and third in their final at bat, but a ground out to second ended the Sam Houston season at 37-24.

Natalie Landry led the Lady Demons at the plate with a 2-for-3 day including a two-run home run in the fourth inning to spark the Northwestern State scoring. Tournament MVP Kylie Roos picked up the win in the circle for Northwestern to improve to 17-4. Roos came in for two innings of relief work and held the Bearkats scoreless. Also earning all-tournament honors for Northwestern State was designated player Cassandra Barefield and shortstop Tara McKenney.

Sam Houston State placed six on the all-tournament team with first baseman Kim Damian, second baseman Alyssa Coggins, third baseman Shelbi Tucker, catcher Ashley Isbell, outfielder Tori Benavidez and pitcher Shelby Lancaster. Damian hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning for Sam Houston that sparked its momentum to give the Bearkats the lead heading into the final inning. Lancaster picked up the loss and fell to 15-8 on the year.

Completing the all-tournament team was Southeastern Louisiana outfielder Kelsey Nichols, Central Arkansas outfielder Sam Forrest and Central Arkansas pitcher Kelsie Armstrong.

2013 All-Tournament Team

1B	Kim Damian	Sam Houston State
2B	Alyssa Coggins	Sam Houston State
3B	Shelbi Tucker	Sam Houston State
SS	Tara McKenney	Northwestern State
C	Ashley Isbell	Sam Houston State
DP	Cassandra Barefield	Northwestern State
OF	Kelsey Nichols	Southeastern Louisiana
OF	Tori Benavidez	Sam Houston State
OF	Sam Forrest	Central Arkansas
P	Kelsie Armstrong	Central Arkansas
P	Shelby Lancaster	Sam Houston State
MVP	Kylie Roos	Northwestern State

Postgame Quotes
Northwestern State Coach Donald Pickett
On winning the conference championship…
“The team is absolutely ecstatic; we have to thank the fans and the parents for all of their support for the season, which will help as we go to the NCAA tournament without any pressure, and hopefully take advantage of some teams that have a huge amount of pressure to perform on them.”

On Brittany Virgoe’s home run…
“Brittany Virgoe’s home run really lifted us and was definitely the play that sparked the team. We were flat and had a lot of pressure on us all day long. We didn’t really get going in the first game, so facing a team like Sam Houston that usually doesn’t have a lot of trouble scoring runs made it even harder. When Brittany got that hit it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of our shoulders.”

Northwestern State Second Baseman Cali Burke
On the game winning hit…
“This is the best feeling. I know everyone says they work so hard to get here, but we really did, so this is an amazing feeling. Walking up to the plate after they walked Tara, I just kept telling myself that I had to prove to myself and my teammates that I could do this. Pitchers have done that before, so it actually motivated me to make a big move.”

Sam Houston State Coach Bob Brock
On the game…
“After 16 hours of softball today, it all came down to one run. We had our opportunities and congratulations to Northwestern State on a great tournament and great win. We wish them the best in the NCAA tournament. I really want to commend my four seniors on a great tournament and earning all-tournament honors.”