HUNTSVILLE, Tex. - The Monmouth University softball team was swept by Sam Houston State, falling 6-1 in the first game and 2-1 in the nightcap, on Wednesday at Bearkat Softball Field.

In the day's first game, junior leadoff batter Emily deLong (Rothschild, Wisc. /DC Everest) began the contest when she reached base after the Bearkat catcher couldn't handle the third strike. Sophomore Tish Derer (Philadelphia, Pa. /Saint Basil Academy) sacrificed deLong to second and senior catcher Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J. /Sayreville War Memorial) drove her in with a single for the first run of the twinbill.

SHSU (6-14) would counter with four runs in the bottom of the first frame off of Monmouth starter Lauren Sulick (Canfield, Ohio /Canfield), and that would be all the hosts would need as they took the first contest, 6-1.

Nicola and sophomore Colleen Kelly (Tallmadge, Ohio /Tallmadge) both went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Hawks in the first game. Sulick pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits, striking out one and walking three.

The Hawks dropped the nightcap, 2-1, after deLong again scored the game's first run. The junior led off the contest with double, stole third base, and came around to score on a double from Nicola.

MU carried that 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth, when the Bearkats would even the contest. The home side would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth and hold on for the sweep.

deLong went 2-for-4 in the second game for MU, which has now dropped seven straight contests. Melissa Mehrer (Florence, N.J. /Florence Township) pitched a complete game in the second affair, allowing nine hits while walking four.

Monmouth, which is now 1-7, returns to action tomorrow when it concludes its Texas trip by visiting Stephen F. Austin for a 1:00 pm twinbill.