Northwestern State Repeats as Softball Tournament Champions
Southland Conference
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HAMMOND, La
. – No. 2 seed Northwestern State used a five-run third inning to defeat No. 1 seed McNeese State 11-0 to claim the 2014 Southland Conference Softball Championship at North Oak Park in Hammond, La.
Northwestern State wins its second-consecutive tournament title and fifth overall. The Lady Demons claim the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and are the first team to repeat as tournament champions since former Southland member Texas State (2011, 2012). Northwestern will find out its postseason fate Sunday night during the NCAA selection show at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.
McNeese played three games in two days and was unable to get any Cowgirls in scoring position as they managed to only record two hits in five innings. McNeese finishes the 2014 season at 40-17 overall.
Tara McKenney led the Lady Demons at the plate with a perfect 4-for-4 on the day including a RBI-single in the third inning to spark the Northwestern State scoring. McKenney also recorded four runs and a stolen base. Tournament MVP Kaylee Guidry picked up the win in the circle for Northwestern to improve to 12-3. Guidry allowed only two hits in five innings to get the shutout the victory. Also earning all-tournament honors for Northwestern State was utility player Shenequia Abby, second baseman Cali Burke and infielder Tara McKenney.
McNeese State placed five on the all-tournament team with Southland Conference Player and Hitter of the Year Alanna DiVittorio, outfieder Marisa Taunton, catcher Ashley Modzelewski, outfielder Lauren Langner and Southland Pitcher of the Year Jamie Allred. Allred picked up the loss for the Cowgirls and fell to 27-8 on the year.
Completing the all-tournament team was Sam Houston State’s catcher Tiffany Castillo, Stephen F. Austin’s first baseman Shalie Day and pitcher Carlie Thomas.
2014 All-Tournament Team
|
C |
Tiffany Castillo |
Sam Houston State |
|
1B |
Shalie Day |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
P |
Carlie Thomas |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
OF |
Alanna DiVittorio |
McNeese State |
|
OF |
Marisa Taunton |
McNeese State |
|
C |
Ashley Modzelewski |
McNeese State |
|
OF |
Lauren Langner |
McNeese State |
|
P |
Jamie Allred |
McNeese State |
|
UT |
Shenequia Abby |
Northwestern State |
|
2B |
Cali Burke |
Northwestern State |
|
IF |
Tara McKenney |
Northwestern State |
|
MVP |
Kaylee Guidry |
Northwestern State |