Southern Arkansas handcuffs Aggies

UPDATED STATISTICS >>

LAWTON, Okla. (Feb. 27) - Cameron hitters managed just three hits and stranded nine runners on base Friday, suffering a double-header loss to Southern Arkansas.

The Aggies (2-4) had two hits in the first inning of Game 1, but managed just one hit the rest of the afternoon, losing by scores of 2-0 and 5-0 at Cameron Field. Coach Gladys Crawford's squad will look to get back on the winning track on Tuesday, travelling to Norman to face Hillsdale Baptist.

Jessie Cassell and Michelle Wanner put together back-to-back singles with two outs in the bottom of the first of Game 1 for the Aggies. But SAU starter Krystal Poulin, who had already struck out two in the inning, slammed the door with another strikeout to end the frame. Poulin finished the game with 11 strikeouts against four walks to earn the pitching victory. Cassie Blackwood came on to face the final two batters of the game to earn her second save of the season for the Lady 'Riders, who improved to 6-5 with the wins on Friday.

Cameron's best chance to score in the opening contest came in the final inning. Lindsay Williams led off the inning with a walk and moved to second when Kelsey Wheeler was hit by a pitch. Evelyn Burton advanced both runners with a groundout to short, but Blackwood forced Cameron's Megan Schneberger into a groundout to end the game.

SAU scored once in the second on an RBI single by Lyndsey Knight and added another run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Blackwood.

Jessica Hutton went the distance on the mound for Cameron in Game 1, allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Southern Arkansas got all the offense it would need for the nightcap in the first inning on Robyn Smith's RBI single to left field. The Lady 'Riders extended their lead to 3-0 in the third on a two-run homer to straight-away center by Blackwood, who finished the day 4-for-8 at the plate with 3 RBI and a run scored. SAU added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.

Cameron's only hit of the nightcap came in the first inning, when Burton singled to center field. Burton was the only Aggie to reach base in the game, as SAU starter Cheyenne Savony faced just one batter over the minimum to get the complete-game victory. Savony struck out eight and had no walks, improving to 2-1 on the season.

Kelly Holden and Williams split time on the mound for the Aggies in Game 2. Holden allowed three runs on five hits in just under four innings of work. Williams came on in the fourth, allowing two runs on six hits.