University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Head to Texas
3/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Lady Eagles Head to Texas
The Southern Miss softball team (9-9) begins an extended journey into the Lone Star State, facing No. 21 Texas A&M (16-4) in a doubleheader on Friday, March 8, at 4 p.m., and Texas (14-7) in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
Southern Miss is coming off a 3-2 weekend performance at Arizona?s Hillenbrand Invitational, picking up wins over Long Beach State, Eastern Michigan and Evansville. Pitcher Jessica Holaway claimed all three wins, including a three-hit shutout over Evansville, and earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Week honors. Heather Bell smashed two home runs in the event, and Channika Gant hit a perfect four-for-four against Eastern Michigan, stroking a .545 batting average in the tournament.
The Lady Eagles have already faced Texas A&M this season, losing to the Aggies, 8-0, in five innings, at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, on Feb. 22. Texas A&M is off to a great start, compiling a 12-game winning streak, from Feb. 8-23. The Aggies defeated currently-ranked opponents No. 11 Cal-State Fullerton, 3-2 and 3-1; No. 14 Oregon State, 7-6, and No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette, 3-2.
Outfielder Adrian Gregory holds a team-best .397 batting average, with three home runs, three doubles and 13 RBIs. Leadoff hitter Lisa Klam is batting .338 and is 12-for-14 on stolen base attempts. Power hitter Selena Collins leads the squad with six home runs and 17 RBIs.
Jessica Slataper is 8-2 on the season, with a 1.56 ERA and two saves. In 13 games, she has fanned 91 batters and has recorded four shutouts. Lindsey Wilhelmson leads the team with a 1.17 ERA in seven appearances. She is 3-1 on the year, with two saves and 26 strikeouts.
Southern Miss has yet to beat Texas A&M in overall matchups. Since 1988, the Aggies have held a 9-0 series record against the Lady Eagles. Head coach Gay McNutt played at A&M, where she was an All-American catcher, competing from 1982-85 and winning two national championships.
Texas and Southern Miss have never faced. The Longhorns have won five of their last six contests and have strung together two five-game winning streaks this season. They claim wins over No. 6 California, 2-1, and No. 23 Mississippi State, 1-0 in 14 innings.
Wynter Turner holds a .421 batting average with one home run, three doubles and seven RBIs. Linsday Garner claims a .362 average, a team-best nine doubles, one home run and four RBIs.
Longhorn pitcher Cat Osterman is 9-4 on the year, with a 1.53 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 15 games. Amy Bradford is 4-1 this season, throwing a 1.30 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
The Lady Eagles will remain in Texas through March 13. They travel to Houston to open Conference USA action, facing the Cougars in a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 12, at 5 p.m., and a single game on Wednesday, March 13, at 1 p.m.
