LAFAYETTE, La. – Stephen F. Austin banged out eight runs over the fourth and fifth innings to secure an 8-0 win over the Leopards on Saturday morning on day two of the 37^th Annual Louisiana Classics.
 
Sophomore shortstop Harlie Bickett and freshman outfielder Marisa Powell each registered a pair of hits for the Leopards (0-3) who had some offensive chances, but stranded six baserunners in the game.
 
SFA cracked a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, reaching Leopard starter Morrigan Gardiner for three runs on three hits. Gaby Garcia (two-run) and Mackenzie Bennett hit back-to-back home runs for the 3-0 advantage.
 
In the fifth, the Lumberjacks broke open the game with five runs on three hits while benefiting from a pair of errors. Garcia hit her second two-run home run of the day, this one coming off Leopard reliever Kailee Sawai. Sawai threw the final inning and a third, allowing five runs (two earned) runs on three hits with a strikeout and two walks.
 
Gardiner was dealt her first loss of the season, giving up three runs on five hits with a strikeout. Sophie Hannabas collected the victory, allowing seven Leopards hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
 
The Leopards will break for a couple of hours before playing No. 20 Louisiana at 3:30 p.m. CT