BEAUMONT, Texas -- The first no-hitter and the first grand slam at the Lamar Softball Complex both occurred Friday. Unfortunately for the Lamar Lady Cardinals, they were the victim of both in a Southland Conference doubleheader.

Northwestern State's Micaela Bouvier no-hit the Lady Cardinals in the opener, a 5-0 Northwestern State victory. In the second game, Northwestern State designated player Cassandra Barefield's grand slam highlighted a seven-run first inning in an 11-5 win for the Lady Demons as Lamar (16-13 overall, 9-2 Southland) suffered its first conference losses of the season.

"They are a better hitting team than we are right now," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "You're not going to win any games when you hit the way we did.

Lamar starter Laura Napoli (11-6) threw a complete game in the opener. Northwestern State held a 1-0 lead after six innings before breaking it open with four runs in the seventh.

"Laura pitched a fantastic game," Bruder said. "She held the best-hitting team in the league in check. You can't pin this loss on her at all."

It was the first career no-hitter for Bouvier (10-4).

Shortstop Hailee Rhodes went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in the opener for Northwestern State (20-12, 10-0).

In the nightcap, Lamar tried to claw its way back from the early 7-0 deficit, cutting the Northwestern State lead to 8-5 after two innings, but Lamar was held scoreless over the final five innings.

Shannon Sain hit a three-run home run for Lamar, as she extended her school record to 22 straight games of reaching base safely. Stephanie Meeuwsen had three hits for Lamar.

Both starters struggled in the second game. Lamar's Lauren Dannelley (5-6) retired just one batter, as she allowed seven hits and seven runs, five earned. Northwestern State's Baylee Gray allowed four hits and five runs, all earned, in 1 2/3 innings.

Lamar's Annika Seedborg and Northwestern State's Mikayla Brown both pitched well in relief. Seedborg pitched a career-high 6 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and four runs, two earned. Brown (4-0) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits.

"Annika came in and did a good job for us," Bruder said. "When you hold a team like Northwestern State to two earned runs in more than six innings, you should win."

The series concludes with a single game at 2 p.m. Saturday. All fans attending the game will receive free koozies. In addition, children will receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. After the game, kids will have the opportunity to run the bases.

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