University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Redemption Desired As Lady Eagles Host Oakland
2/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Redemption Desired As Lady Eagles Host Oakland
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Losing four of the last five games has been a frustrating experience for the Southern Miss softball team. The Lady Eagles competed in the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Feb. 22-24, in Columbus, Ga., and came away with only one win, while experiencing four shutouts, with one being a no-hitter.
Southern Miss (5-6) looks to overcome the recent shortcomings in a home doubleheader against Oakland (1-4, before facing UAB on Monday night, Feb. 25), on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., at Timberton Park. Last year, the Grizzlies came to town and split a doubleheader. The Lady Eagles won the first game, 6-1, and Oakland pulled off a 2-1 victory in the final match.
Ericka Burns leads Oakland with six hits, while batting .353 (6-for-17). After five games, she has hit a double and a home run. Pitcher Julie Anderson claims the only win for the Grizzlies, against Stephen F. Austin, 5-1.
Kenya Peters is currently leading the Lady Eagles, batting .375 (9-for-24). She has one home run and two doubles. Melanie Hymel and Heather Bell are tied for second on the team in hitting, as both are 9-for-26 from the plate (.346). Bell has two home runs and two doubles, and Hymel leads the squad with three triples.
Melissa Cundiff leads the Southern Miss hurlers with a 2.08 ERA. She is 2-3 on the year with 31 strikeouts and eight walks. Felicia Gonzales is 1-1 this season with a 3.13 ERA and 11 strikeouts, and Jessica Holaway is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
Southern Miss travels this weekend to Tucson, Ariz., to compete in the University of Arizona?s Hillenbrand Invitational, on March 1-3.
