SHREVEPORT-Senior Allison Shepperd belted a two-run home run and junior right handed pitcher Sara Dornelas went the distance to propel the Centenary softball team to a 3-1 victory over in-state rival, Northwestern State, on Wednesday evening.
The Ladies (6-9) put up just five hits, but received a solid pitching performance from Dornelas to secure the always exciting non-conference battle with the Demons (10-9).
Junior Bonnie Matak led the Ladies at the plate with two hits and a run scored, while Shepperd finished 1x3 with a run scored and two RBI. Also picking up hits for Centenary were senior Haley Bassett (1x3, R) and sophomore Kalyn Harris (1x3, RBI).
Centenary was able to garner three outfield assists on the night as sophomore Katie Matthews hosed a runner at home and second, while freshman Bailey Boggs ended the game, gunning a Northwestern State runner out at second attempting to stretch a single into a double.
The Demons went up 1-0 after leadoff batter Randi Stuard reached on a fielding error and eventually scored on a single to right center. However, the Ladies would challenge Northwestern State in the bottom half of the inning, connecting on back-to-back singles by Bassett and Matak to start the frame. Harris would later drive in Bassett, tying the game at 1-1.
Dornelas would continue to shut Demon hitters down the rest of the way, holding Northwestern State scoreless. With a 1-1 game and one out in the sixth inning, Matak would single to right center and steal second. Shepperd would belt her second home run of the season, driving in Matak and herself for a 3-1 lead.
Dornelas (7.0,5,1,0,1,6) earned the win and improved to 6-6 on the season after tossing the distance of 7.0 complete innings. She allowed one unearned run on five hits, while fanning six and walking one.
Northwestern State's Brooke Boening (5.1,5,3,3,0,4) suffered the loss after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out four.
Demons Kayla Cole and Tiffany Ward each had two hits for Northwestern State.
Centenary will return to action on Friday for its Summit League opener when it hosts Oakland in a double-header beginning at 4:00 pm.
