University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Softball Hosts UAB In League Action
4/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Southern Miss Softball Hosts UAB In League Action
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss Lady Eagle softball team looks to continue on its recent Conference USA success when it hosts UAB in a three-game series at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
The Lady Eagles (18-18, 6-3 in C-USA) and the Blazers (16-20, 3-6) meet in the weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Action begins at 1 p.m., on both days. Live stats for all three games will be available on SouthernMiss.com.
Southern Miss leads the all-time series with a 10-4 record and took 2-of-3 last year in Birmingham, Ala. But UAB picked up the win in the last meeting, 1-0.
Southern Miss comes into the weekend after seeing its four-game win streak snapped, Wednesday, with a 3-1 loss to Southeastern Louisiana in non-conference softball action at the North Oak Park. The Lady Eagles out-hit the Lions 7-6 but managed just one run in the game, stranding seven runners on base. UAB enters the three-game series on a two-game skid and has lost three of their last five games. Last weekend, the Blazers fell 2-1 in a three-game series to Louisville, winning the opener 2-1 before falling in the last two games, 4-3 and 5-0.
Senior outfielder and current Conference USA Hitter of the Week Auriel Jenkins paces the Lady Eagles' offense with a .349 average, while also ranking among the team leaders in hits (30) and RBIs (17). Sophomore first baseman Ashley Davis follows with a .327 average and is tops in hits (35) and second in RBIs (18). Junior outfielder Diane Hammes is hitting .321 and shares the lead with Davis in hits. Sophomore second baseman Charity Butler and senior outfielder Heather Bell rank fourth and fifth with respective .319 and .295 averages. Sophomore third baseman Ashley Brenan leads the team in doubles (11) and RBIs (20).
Senior Jessica Holaway has a team-high 8-5 record and leads with a 3.06 ERA. The senior has 22 appearances on the season with 58 strikeouts and 27 walks. Senior Danielle Hatfield holds on to a 3.58 ERA, while also sporting a 4-3 record and 30 strikeouts. Sophomore Danielle Wymer has been strong as of late, improving her record to 4-5. Wymer also has a 6.45 ERA and 19 strikeouts. Freshman Jessica Saunier holds a 2-5 record, 19 strikeouts and a 6.93 ERA.
Sara Christophel leads the Blazers in a number of offensive categories, including batting average (.303), hits (37), doubles (10), home runs (4) and RBIs (16). Chelsea McCall follows with 30 hits, while Beth Mullins is second in average (.266) and third in hits (29). Tara Higashino has a team-high 24 appearances and 20 starts for an 8-11 record, 3.64 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Higashino also has two saves. Erica Mascarenas leads all players with a 2.21 ERA, 68 strikeouts and has a 6-8 record. Brittany Hodge also has pitched for UAB, sporting a 3.45 ERA and a 2-1 record.
