Southland Conference

LAKE CHARLES, La. ? McNeese State scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to claim a 3-2 victory over Sam Houston State to earn a date with Texas State in the championship game of the 2009 Southland Conference Tournament.

Sam Houston State struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning as sophomore Hailey Wiginton doubled to center field driving in senior Sarah Parich. Junior Amy Brown added another run off an infield fly ball that was misplayed by McNeese allowing Wiginton to score.

Down 2-0, McNeese State answered with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore Katie Shumaker led the inning off with a single through the left side followed by a bunt from junior Liz Morvant giving the Cowgirls two on with no outs. Freshman Claire Terracina reached base on error scoring Shumaker for McNeese State’s first run. Sophomore Lindsey Langner reached on a fielder’s choice scoring Morvant tying the game. The Cowgirls took the lead and advanced to the title game off a wild pitch scoring Terracina.

McNeese senior pitcher Bethany Stefinsky recorded nine strikeouts setting the Cowgirl’s single-season record with 293 breaking the 1994 record of 285 held by Angela Harrison.

Texas State can win the title with a win over McNeese State. If the Cowgirls defeat Texas State the Bobcats would still be alive to play another game at 4 p.m.

With the win McNeese advances to its first Southland tournament championship game since 2005 when they last won the tournament. Texas State will be playing for its first title since 2001.