SU softball set to host UAPB in pivotal series

If you didn’t know how pivotal Southern’s three-game weekend series is with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, just ask head softball coach Nancy Marshall.
After dropping two-out-of-three games to second place Grambling, SU’s (22-15, 10-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) comfortable lead in the Western division has dwindled with Grambling (14-25, 10-7) trailing the Jaguars by just three games with only three remaining.
And if UAPB wins all three games this weekend, then Grambling takes possession of first place by virtue of tiebreaker.
“We still have to win these games this weekend because we dropped two to Grambling last weekend,” Marshall said. “We can’t afford to lose any of these games. I would love to win all three.”
Grambling played its last regular season game Tuesday, defeating Eastern division leader Mississippi Valley State, 2-1, at Valley. With this scenario, SU needs at least one win against UAPB to break the tie and catapult the Jaguars back into sole possession of first place.
“If we drop all three games then we go in tied with Grambling,” Marshall said. “But beating Valley makes them 10-7, so they go in first because of the series last weekend with us. Those two losses really put added pressure on us going into the series with UAPB.”
SU got a jolt of confidence, defeating non-conference foe Southeastern, 1-0, Tuesday at Lady Jaguar field as pitcher Lanaya Jenkins struck out six while only allowing three hits. The victory was Jenkins’ ninth of the year.
SU’s lone run came in the bottom of the eighth inning when pinch-runner Tiffany Darville scored on a passed ball that got by SLU catcher Heather Grivas.
Darville was placed on second base to start SU’s half of the eighth because of the international tiebreaker rule. Then she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jasmone Williams.
Courtney Chappell had two of SU’s three hits, while Robyn Cathey had the other.
The Jaguars take the field again Friday, hosting last place UAPB (3-35, 3-11). Game time is set for 3 p.m. Game one Saturday is set for 11 a.m. with game two at 1 p.m.
“A whole new season starts for us today,” Marshall said. “Our girls have to play these games this weekend with the same intensity I want in the SWAC tournament.”
Notes
SU’s two losses to Grambling came, 10-9, Friday and, 5-4, Saturday. Mississippi Valley State has won four consecutive SWAC championships. Valley defeated SU in 2004, 05 and 07 to claim three of its four crowns. MVSU defeated SU 4-1 in last year’s championship. SU has won four consecutive Western division crowns. The 2008 SWAC Softball tournament will be held April 23-27 at the Lady Panther Softball Complex in Prairie View, Texas.