Lions finish 5–0 behind dominant pitching and clutch offense as Sam Houston and Nicholls post strong 4–1 weekends in Youngsville showcase.

Youngsville delivered a competitive early-season measuring stick, and when the final games wrapped, Southeastern Louisiana had clearly set the pace.

The Lions ran the table at the Mardi Gras Mambo, finishing 5–0 while outscoring opponents 29–7 and allowing more than three runs only once. It was a weekend that combined dominance with composure — blowouts when they were there, and execution when games tightened late.

Southeastern Louisiana: Complete in Every Phase

Southeastern opened with authority in an 11–0 run-rule victory over Eastern Illinois. Kailey Dixon went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the opener, while Maria Detillier added two hits and two RBIs. In the circle, Jaci Keller tossed a five-inning shutout, striking out six.

The Lions then proved they could win close games. In a 3–2 win over Georgia State, Detillier delivered the go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning, while Alea Johnson threw a complete game, allowing just two runs.

Against New Mexico, Southeastern trailed late before Addison Contorno drove in the tying run with a double and the Lions added another on a sacrifice fly in a 4–3 victory.

The pitching staff was dominant again in an 8–0 shutout over SIUE. Detillier added a three-run homer, and Johnson held SIUE to three hits.

The finale required poise — a 3–2 win over St. Thomas — where Keller struck out seven in a complete-game effort.

Southeastern tournament totals:

• Record: 5–0

• Runs scored: 29

• Runs allowed: 7

• Team ERA: 1.27

Detillier finished the weekend batting .444 with six RBIs, while Keller went 3-0 with 18 innings pitched and just one earned run allowed.

Sam Houston Shows Balance and Power

Sam Houston finished 4–1 and displayed perhaps the most explosive offense of the tournament.

In a 5–0 shutout of St. Thomas, Tiffany Sanchez threw a complete game, allowing just four hits. Sanchez followed with another complete game in a 2–1 win over SIUE, striking out six.

The Bearkats’ biggest statement came in an 11–1 run-rule win over Georgia State. Perez went 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, while Jordan Peno added three RBIs.

After falling 8–4 to Eastern Illinois, Sam Houston responded with a 6–0 shutout of New Mexico.

Sam Houston totals:

• Record: 4–1

• Runs scored: 28

• Runs allowed: 10

• Two shutouts

Sanchez posted a 1.17 ERA across three starts and was one of the most consistent arms of the weekend.

Nicholls Wins the Tight Ones

Nicholls also finished 4–1 and thrived in close contests.

The Colonels opened with a 10–2 win over Eastern Illinois, as Laylin Sturm drove in three runs and Molly Yoo tossed a complete game.

After a 4–0 loss to St. Thomas, Yoo rebounded in dominant fashion with a 7-inning, 8-strikeout shutout in a 1–0 victory over Georgia State.

Nicholls added a 6–1 win over New Mexico before closing with a dramatic 4–3 win over SIUE. Erin Krause launched a decisive two-run homer in that game.

Nicholls totals:

• Record: 4–1

• Runs scored: 21

• Runs allowed: 10

• Two one-run victories

Yoo allowed just three earned runs over the weekend.

Louisiana Tech Finishes Strong

Louisiana Tech (3–2) closed the tournament with momentum.

The Bulldogs opened with a 4–3 win over New Mexico behind a two-run homer from Reagan Marchant. Tech then fell to Eastern Illinois (4–2) and St. Thomas (8–2).

However, back-to-back wins over SIUE (7–3) and Georgia State (7–4) highlighted the team’s offensive depth. Reese Torres went 3-for-4 with two doubles against Georgia State, and Bradi Gallaway homered in the win over SIUE.

Northwestern State Shows Flashes

Northwestern State finished 2–3 but delivered one of the most exciting games of the weekend — a 9–8 win over Georgia State. The Demons also shut out Eastern Illinois 4–0.

However, losses to SIUE (5–0), New Mexico (6–4), and St. Thomas (9–1) showed inconsistency in run prevention.

Tournament Standings

Final Takeaway

Southeastern Louisiana set the early benchmark with dominant pitching and clutch execution. Sam Houston and Nicholls showed postseason traits with their ability to win both blowouts and tight games. Louisiana Tech’s strong finish and Northwestern State’s flashes suggest plenty of movement ahead as the season develops.