HAMMOND, La. -- Friday was anything but good for the Lamar Lady Cardinals as they were swept by the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions in a Southland Conference softball doubleheader by scores of 12-2 and 8-1.

Things started out on a high note for Lamar (17-17 overall, 10-4 Southland), as the Lady Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first of the opener on a two-run home run by Stephanie Meeuwsen. Things quickly went downhill from there as the Lady Cardinals have dropped four of their last five conference games and six of their last seven overall.

"We got outscored 20-3. That's not acceptable," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "In April, we have to play to win the conference, not hold on to the lead that we had."

Southeastern Louisiana (16-18, 11-2) responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the first before taking the lead for good on a solo home run by Sloan Jenkins to lead off the bottom of the second inning, a shot that just snuck inside the left-field foul pole.

Southeastern Louisiana added an insurance run in the fifth before ending the game early with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Designated player Amber Sather ended the game with a grand slam.

Lamar starter Laura Napoli (12-9) took the loss, allowing 14 hits and 12 runs, 11 earned in in five innings. Sarah Ragsdale had two of Lamar's five hits.

Southeastern Louisiana starter Taylor Bishop picked up the complete-game win, allowing two runs, both earned.

Southeastern Louisiana started the nightcap right where it left off in the opener, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Lamar starter Lauren Dannelley (5-8) never made it out of the first inning, allowing four hits and four runs, all earned, while retiring just two batters.

The Lady Lions added four more runs off of reliever Annika Seedborg in her one inning of work. Napoli came on and pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit relief, while Dannelley returned to pitch a scoreless sixth inning.

The Lady Cardinals had their chances in the second game, but stranded 11 runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the fourth without scoring after the first three batters reached base.

"If that's not a sign of a team that's struggling, I don't know what is," Bruder said. "All elements of our game are down right now. We're looking for that leader and moment of greatness."

Brynn Baca, Sable Hankins and Sarah Ragsdale had two hits apiece for Lamar in the second game.

Bishop (12-3) got the win in relief, allowing just one hit over four innings. Sydney Booker had three hits for Southeastern Louisiana.

The series concludes with a single game at noon Sunday. Lamar returns home to host Alcorn State in a nonconference doubleheader at 2 p.m. Wednesday. For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.

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