Following a tough pair of games earlier in the week, the Lady Bears rebounded and in a big way Saturday sweeping the visiting Coahoma Lady Tigers taking Game 1, 15-3 and Game 2, 16-3.
"They played well and all of the pitchers, hitters and everyone did a good job," Southwest head coach Shea Johnson said. "We came up with some good hits and we played some good defense behind them."
The Lady Bears (17-25, 7-17 MACCC) recorded 17 hits in Game 1 led by three from Sarah Stockstill who also had two runs scored and two RBIs. Five other Lady Bears all recorded two hits including Shaylee Ingram who finished with a team-high four RBIs.
"I knew that I kind of had been in a slump, so I had worked extra hard this week," Ingram said. "I focused on getting my hands inside the ball and not leaking out."
Following a successful opening top of the first from starting pitcher Mia Pumila and the Lady Bear defense, the multitude of hits came early for Southwest.
A two-out rally was kick-started by Stockstill, who singled to right. She scored during the ensuing at bat after stealing second and taking advantage of a Lady Tiger mistake to plate the game's first run. After Anne Claire Sistrunk followed with a single, Madi Smith, Morgan Gras and Ingram followed suit with the three of theirs plating runs giving the Lady Bears a 4-0 advantage.
Smith, who was mostly known for her skills in the pitching circle, said that hitting is something that she is very comfortable with. "Honestly hitting has never been a problem for me, it has been one of my stronger suits," said Smith who has played mostly in the infield as of late. "I have been enjoying being in the lineup and progressing."
After another strong inning from Pumila in the second, the offense stepped up once again.
An inside-the-park solo home run from Lilli Robertson got things going before RBI singles from Kacey Stampley, Smith, Stockstill and Cheyenne Tyson were complemented by an RBI triple from Ingram and another RBI from Stampley in the inning, this time on a ground out. When the dust settled, Southwest found itself ahead 14-0.
Coahoma answered back with a run in the third but Southwest plated another one of its own in the fourth when Kayleigh Necaise grounded out, scoring Anlyssa Richardson.
The Lady Tigers added two more runs in the fifth before Lana Bridges, who came on in relief of Pumila got the final out, sealing the win for Southwest.
Pumila and Bridges combined to give up only three hits, three runs (two earned) and four walks while striking out four.
In Game 2, the Lady Bears had another strong performance offensively with 15 hits. On the mound, Emme Wallace got the start but ran into a bit of trouble early as the Lady Tigers opened the second with a solo home run.
Wallace, a sophomore, did not let that bother her one bit as she sat down the next three Lady Tigers in order, picking up a strikeout in the process. "I was definitely feeling it today and as I am making a transition into a starter, my mentality had to change so I kind of had to be feeling it everyday," she said. "I guess it has been about me preparing myself before every single game. I feel like my preparedness has to do with whether or not I am feeling it when I am out there. What I do before a game is just as important as what I do during a game."
Her offense provided an immediate answer. Ingram and Kayci Beth Wallace recorded RBI singles before an RBI triple from Lilli Robertson was followed by an RBI double from Stockstill and a two-run home run by Stampley giving the Lady Bears a 7-1 advantage.
That lead grew by another seven runs in the third inning on RBI singles from Kayci Beth Wallace and Richardson, Robertson stealing home and two more RBI hits: a double from Sistrunk and a triple by Rowan Braley.
Lana Dalton came on to pitch and picked up where Emme Wallace left off. The freshman from Centreville gave up a single but retired the next three in order, striking out the last two batters in the inning.
Stampley provided her second home run of the day in the fourth, another two-run shot, pushing the Southwest lead to 16-1.
Angelle Delcambre came on to pitch in the fifth and even though the Lady Tigers rallied, scoring two runs, she got the last three outs afterward, preserving the win for the Lady Bears.
Emme Wallace, Dalton and Delcambre combined to give up only four hits, three runs (one earned) and one walk while striking out three.
The Lady Bears wrap up the road portion of regular season Tuesday with a pair of games in Decatur against East Central. Game 1 is scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m.
