University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Castellano Shuts Down McNeese in Final Innings
2/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LAFAYETTE – Michelle Castellano tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout leading Northwestern State to a 4-1 victory over McNeese State here Saturday evening in game 10 of the 2nd Annual Louisiana's Mardi Gras Classic.
Castellano held McNeese State hitless over the final three innings and struck out seven Cowgirls' batters. The offense backed her up with a three-spot in the fourth inning after McNeese had tied the game 1-1 in the top half of the fourth.
Lindsey Gorski got the Demons fourth-inning rally started with a bloop single into left field over the infield. Castellano helped her own cause by vaulting a double deep into center field that advanced Gorski to third base. The throw from the outfield was mishandled by McNeese catcher Courtney Parks and the ball rolled into the backstop. Gorski came through with the heads up play, racing home for the go-ahead score.
NSU added two more runs for good measure before the fourth inning ended. Kelly Corliss slipped a hard grounder through the left side of the infield that scored Castellano. Two batters later, Sarnia Noack brough home Corliss with a deep double to give the Demons a 4-1 edge.
Castellano was challenged only once more the rest of the game. McNeese had runners on second and third with no outs recorded. Castellano hit Meghan Novak and then issued a walk to Lindsay Davis. The two moved over one base each when Castellano uncorked a wild pitch.
The San Antonio, Texas, calmly worked her way out of the jam recording three straight outs without the ball leaving the infield until the third and final out. Parks fouled out to third base, Nicole Edlund popped up to shortstop Shay Hunt and Brooke Brodhead flied out to left field.
The Cowgirls were held hitless over the final three innings as the Demons completed a two-game sweep of their Southland Conference rivals during tournament play. NSU posted a 4-2 victory in Friday's third game.
Noack led the Demons with two base hits. The Demons got one RBI apiece from Noack, Nicole Martin and Corliss.
Novak was dealt her first loss of the season and saw her record even at 1-1. She tossed four innings giving up four runs off of six NSU hits while striking out three. Jana Jones pitched well in relief, holding the Demons hitless over the final two innings giving the Cowgirls a chance to make a late rally similar to the Sam Houston State game earlier today. However, Castellano was equal to the challenge.
The Demons scratched first after breaking up Novak's no-hit bid in the third inning. An RBI single up the middle by Martin gave NSU the early 1-0 lead.
MSU answered in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly RBI by Tonya Edlund.
Northwestern State improved to 2-1 in tournament play and awaits a meeting with Sam Houston State beginning at approximately 9 p.m.
McNeese is done for the day and will complete its stay at the Mardi Gras Classic on Sunday by taking on Ole Miss at 10 a.m.
LINE SCORE
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Northwestern State 4, McNeese State 1 (Feb 05, 2005 at
Lafayette, La.)
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McNeese State....... 000 100 0 - 1 3 3 (1-3)
Northwestern State.. 001 300 X - 4 6 0 (2-1)
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Pitchers: McNeese State - Novak; Jones(5). Northwestern
State - Castellano.
Win-Castellano(1-1) Loss-Novak(1-1) T-2:05
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
