NATCHITOCHES, La. -- The Lamar Lady Cardinals completed what may have been the best day ever in program history as they stunned host Northwestern State, the top-seed in the Southland Conference Tournament by a 6-1 score in Wednesday's second round.

"We played the way I know we are capable of playing," an elated Lamar coach Holly Bruder said after the game. "I'm very proud of each and every player on this team."

Freshman right-hander Laura Napoli (19-16), who pitched a complete-game six-hitter in Wednesday's earlier win over fourth-seeded Southeastern Louisiana, was even more impressive against the Lady Demons, finishing with a three-hitter.

"I tip my hat to Laura," Bruder said. "She throws a three-hitter against the best-hitting team on the league. That's very impressive."

Lamar (26-26) never trailed in the game. The fourth-seeded Lady Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run single by Brynn Baca. Northwestern State (33-17) cut into the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a solo home run by Micayla Sorosiak to straight-away center field.

Lamar got that run back in the fifth when Baca doubled before eventually scoring on Jenna Holland's sacrifice fly. The Lady Cardinals put the game away with three runs in the sixth inning as Stephanie Meeuwsen's bunt single scored one run before Sable Hankins singled to drive in two more runs.

"I got a little teary after the game because this win was special," Bruder said. "We may not have gotten much respect in the all-conference voting, but we're definitely earning respect now."

The Lady Cardinals meet third-seeded Central Arkansas in the semifinals of the double-elimination event at 4 p.m. Thursday, Lamar's only scheduled contest of the day. The consolation semifinals and the championship series are set for Friday.

Central Arkansas won both of its games on Wednesday, defeating sixth-seeded Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1-0 in 13 innings in the longest game in Southland Conference Tournament history before defeating second-seeded McNeese State 6-2.

"It should be a good game against Central Arkansas," Bruder said. "They're playing well right now, as evidenced by their two wins."

Thursday's game will be shown live at www.Southland.org.

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