HAMMOND, La. – Sam Houston State's Hillary Adams hit a three-run home run in the top of the first and HBU couldn't recover, as the Bearkats defeated the Huskies, 6-1, in an elimination game in the Southland Conference Tournament Saturday.

Lauren Schwirtlich, Shay Orsak, Melissa Herman, and Victoria Granchelli each had a hit for HBU. Herman had the Huskies' lone RBI that brought home L. Schwirtlich. Shannon O'Connor (8-8) started and took the loss, as she allowed six hits and four runs with one strikeout in 3.1 innings. Kendall Stiefel pitched the final 3.2 innings and gave up five hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks with one strikeout.

SHSU had 11 hits, led by Tori Korselman and Tiffany Castillo with two hits apiece. Adams had a game-high three RBI. Shelby Lancaster (11-10) earned the complete-game win, as she gave up four hits, one run, and two walks.

Back-to-back singles put Bearkats on first and second to begin the top of the first. Adams cleared the bases and gave Sam Houston State a 3-0 lead with a three-run homer to left field. O'Connor got out of the inning without any further damage, with a strikeout sandwiched between two flyouts.

The Huskies got one of the runs back in the bottom half of the inning, as Herman's RBI single brought home L. Schwirtlich. HBU threatened for more, with the bases loaded and two outs, but SHSU got out of the inning with a fielder's choice.

SHSU increased its lead to 4-1 in the fourth with a one-out RBI single by Alyssa Coggins, who advanced to second on the throw home. Stiefel relieved O'Connor and got a foul out and a pop up to end the inning.

The Bearkats added another run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Castillo to extend the lead over HBU to 5-1.  Amy Pelton then led off the top of the sixth for Sam Houston State with a bunt single, stole second, then scored on a Huskies' throwing error for a 6-1 Bearkats lead.

HBU concluded its season with an overall record of 22-28 and a conference mark of 14-13. The Huskies reached the Southland Conference Tournament in only their second year in the conference. HBU graduates four seniors: Daniella Rodarte, Lauren Schwirtlich, Kendall Stiefel, and Holly Webb.