The Lady Lions softball team defeated the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in both games of a doubleheader last Wednesday. After winning the first game 11-3, senior pitcher Rachael Hellyer would earn her first win of the season in style by recording the fifth no-hitter in school history. Southeastern would be successful in the second game as well, securing a 12-0 win behind great hitting and even better pitching.
Southeastern had a hot start in the first game. The Lady Lions recorded four runs in the first inning and the bats would not slow down from there. It would be a 7-0 lead before UAPB was able to tack on a run in the fourth. Third baseman Megan Moore demonstrated why she was named the Louisiana Hitter of the Week by driving in four runs for the Lions the first game.
Junior pitcher Tori Stamper started for Southeastern and would earn the win to advance to 4-1 on the season. Freshman infielder Kasey Nielson came into the game for Stamper in the fourth to close out the game.
Momentum never left the Lady Lions going into the second game of the double header. After a quick 1-2-3 inning for Hellyer, Southeastern was able to get on the board right away off of a double by Moore. The game would begin to look like a blowout in the bottom of the second when Southeastern was able to add five runs to their lead.
“When you can go out and score the runs early, it gives you that momentum. The pitchers can relax and get in a groove now because they have a cushion,” said Head Coach Pete Langlois, referring to the dominate performance put on early by the offense and defense.
Hellyer could not look any better on the mound. The right-hander was as efficient as can be in pitching Wednesday night. She would average fewer than four pitches per batter. Coming off of an impressive 11-2 season, Hellyer was poised for another successful year on the mound. The first win was illusive, but she would persevere and earn her first win of the season.
“It means a lot; just really getting that first win was important to me,” said Hellyer on her first win of the season coming from a no-hitter.
This was the last game at home for the Lions before they head off on a seven-game road trip. The trip will include a visit to conference foe Houston Baptist University for a weekend series. A game against Mississippi State University is scheduled for March 25, with Southeastern finishing the road trip in a series against the University of Central Arkansas.