NATCHITOCHES, La. -- The Lamar Lady Cardinals saw their season come to an end with a 16-10 loss in nine innings to top-seeded Northwestern State in the consolation bracket finals of the Southland Conference Softball Tournament on Friday.

"I'm so proud of this team, they never quit," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "When you score 10 runs, you can't yell at your hitters. Our pitchers didn't do enough to shut them down."

The fifth-seeded Lady Cardinals (26-28), who set a school record for wins in a season, had an 8-3 lead after four innings, but put the game away. Northwestern State (36-17), which advanced to the championship series against Central Arkansas, battle back to take a 10-9 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Lamar tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Casey Cromwell tripled and scored on Sarah Ragsdale's single.

Lamar seemed poised to win the game in the eighth as Sable Hankins' lead-off single was followed by Brynn Baca getting hit by a pitch, but the Lady Cardinals stranded both runners in scoring position.

"We're still an inexperienced team when it comes to pressure situations such as a tournament," Bruder said. "This is something we will definitely learn from."

Northwestern State erupted for six runs in the top of the ninth, with Kellye Kincannon's grand slam putting the game away.

Lamar's Sarah Ragsdale went 6-for-6 with four stolen bases, setting Lamar single-game records in both categories. Ragsdale, Cromwell, Stephanie Meeuwsen and Brynn Baca each drove in two runs for Lamar. Ragsdale had 10 hits in the tourney to tie a Southland record.

Lauren Dannelley (7-9) took the loss in relief for Lamar, allowing seven hits and eight runs in 3 1/3 innings. Lamar starter Laura Napoli, who started all four games for Lamar in the tournament, allowed 10 hits and eight runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Mikayla Brown (13-3), the third Northwestern State pitcher used, got the win in relief, allowing seven hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

"I tip my hat to Northwestern State, they're a great team," Bruder said. "This was a great game to be a part of."

The Lady Cardinals won two tournament games for the first time since 1983, posting their best-ever finish at the tourney.

"This team set the stand for the future of the program," Bruder said. "Our staple is make the tournament every year and finish no worse than third.

"This team had fun, but they worked hard and were great representatives for Lamar. This was a special group."

Friday's game marked the final game for Lamar's two seniors, Casey Cromwell and Shannon Sain, who both earned third-team All-Southland Conference honors this season.

"I'm going to miss both of them," Bruder said. "They had tremendous seasons and helped build this program. More than that, they are tremendous young ladies."

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