University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Blast Past Houston, Sweep First Day Of Series
3/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Files associated with this release:
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
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Lady Eagles Blast Past Houston, Sweep First Day Of Series
HOUSTON, Texas -- Southern Miss used a steady dose of productive offense and stingy defense en route to a doubleheader softball sweep over Conference USA foe Houston, Saturday, at the Cougar Softball Field.
The Lady Eagles (17-17, 5-3 in C-USA) combined to outscore the Cougars 21-1 in the two games, handing Houston (24-13, 3-2) its first two losses in league play. Southern Miss -- which finished with 22 hits, three doubles and four home runs -- took the opening game 14-0 in five innings and then added a 7-1 victory in the afternoon game. The two teams compete in the series finale, Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We did what this team has been capable of doing all season long," Southern Miss Head Coach Gay McNutt said. "I am just thrilled. (Houston) is one of the top teams in the conference, and we just beat them bad. I think that also makes us one of top teams in the conference. Our pitchers did an outstanding job today, and I can't say enough about the team's effort."
Senior pitcher Jessica Holaway (7-5) picked up the complete-game shutout in the opening game, scattering just four hits, walking two and striking out one. Sophomore hurler Danielle Wymer (4-5) was just as impressive in the game two victory, giving up just one run on three hits, with two walks and three strikeouts in the complete-game performance.
At the plate, senior centerfielder Auriel Jenkins had a team-high five hits on the day, including one home run and five RBIs, while sophomore shortstop Jessica Huerta had three hits in all, including two home runs, and also had five RBIs.
Southern Miss got off to a fast start in game one, taking advantage of three hits and one Houston error to put two runs across. Ashley Brenan led off with a single and moved to second after Huerta reached on an error by the shortstop. The two players advanced on Diane Hammes' sacrifice bunt and later came around to score on Jenkins' RBI-single up the middle.
Jenkins came through again in the top of third inning with a two-run shot to left center, scoring Hammes and giving the visiting Lady Eagles the 4-0 advantage.
Southern Miss then put the game away with a monstrous 10-run fifth inning, scoring the double-digit runs on seven hits and taking advantage of three Houston errors. In the frame, Huerta led off with a solo home run and added a single, Sarah Boyd had a two-run blast, Jenkins had an RBI-double, while Ashley Davis, Charity Butler and Heather Bell each chipped in with singles. All but one batter scored in the frame as the Lady Eagles batted around and then some.
The offense was all that Holaway and the Southern Miss defense needed in the opening game, as the unit allowed just six base runners and did not allow any of them to move past second base.
Jenkins led all players with three hits and five RBIs in game one, while Huerta, Davis and Bell each added a pair of hits.
Crystal Briscoe (6-6) took the loss for the Cougars, giving up nine runs, six earned, on 10 hits with three walks and nine strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Carla Kennimer faced five batters, giving up five runs, three earned on three hits with one walk. Jenny Johnson also pitched in the game, picking up the final out on a strikeout.
It was more of the same for the Lady Eagles in the second game, although it may have taken a little longer to get heated up. Houston took the early 1-0 lead, but Southern Miss exploded for six runs in fourth inning, added another in the fifth, to cruise to the six-run victory.
It was a classic pitcher's duel between Wymer and Houston starter Jenny Johnson in the second game, with the two players allowing just two hits each in the first three innings of work.
The Cougars got on the board first in the bottom of the third, registering their first hit against Wymer with a two-out double by Lindsay Durham. Kim Nesloney drew a walk to put two runners on, and Brandi Clark followed with a pinch-hit, RBI-single to center field to give Houston the 1-0 lead.
But Southern Miss countered with its big rally in the next at-bat. Jenkins led off with a walk and advanced to second on Davis' single. The two players moved into scoring position on a double-steal, and Butler drew a walk one out later to load the bases. Bell then hit into a fielder's choice to score Jenkins for the tying run. Brenan followed that with a two-RBI double, and Huerta tacked on a three-run home run -- her second of the day -- to give the Lady Eagles the 6-1 lead.
That would be all Wymer and company would need to put the game away. Wymer retired the side in order in three of the four remaining innings, allowing just one hit in the sixth.
Southern Miss inserted a single run in the span, following Butler's RBI-single to score Jenkins for the seventh and final run.
Brenan, Jenkins and Davis each had two hits to lead the Lady Eagles in the game-two win, while Huerta added three RBIs and Brenan chipped in with two RBIs.
Johnson (9-5) took the game-two loss, giving up seven runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and four walks. Kennimer threw three innings, giving up just two hits.
