Southern Miss
Mississippi
Southern Miss Softball Team Shuts Out Ole Miss, 4-0
3/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 12, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team used a four-run first inning, knocking off Ole Miss, 4-0, Wednesday at the USM Softball Complex.
"It feels good to come out and see our girls execute early for a change," coach Howard Dobson said. "Before we've had trouble getting started and then come on strong later in the game, but tonight we did a good job of getting after it early, then we kind of fell off toward the end offensively. Now what we have to do is try to put it together for a full seven innings."
Junior Samantha Davis (5-4) recorded her fifth win of the season and her second shutout, as she worked all seven innings against the Rebels, allowing only three hits and did not walk anyone.
"Sam really hit her spots tonight and did exactly what she had to do - let her teammates play behind her," said Dobson. "When you have a pitcher that is hitting her spots well and a defense playing well behind her, you really see the level of play elevated like it was tonight."
Southern Miss (13-12) got on the scoreboard first, scoring all four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Rebels' pitcher Becky Nye (6-3) retired the Eagles' first two batters before issuing a walk to Kristin Pilgrim. Jennifer Fox then singled to right field, advancing Pilgrim to third. Lauren Castellvi reached base on a free pass to load the bases with two outs. Junior Ashlyn Harmon then hit a base-clearing triple down the right field line, giving Southern Miss a 3-0 lead. Logan James then singled through the left side, plating Harmon for the fourth run of the inning.
The Rebels (14-9) threatened in the top of the second inning, when Lauren Rowe reached base on a Golden Eagle error. Aly Presswood hit into a fielder's choice that put Rowe out at second. Elizabeth Holbert had an infield hit that put runners at first and second with two outs. Davis got Courtnie Ghinaudo to ground out to third base.
Over the remainder of the game, Davis retired 12 of 13 batters before giving up one last hit in the top of the seventh.
Nye pitched equally well over the last five innings, retiring 15 of 17 batters while giving up only two walks.
Southern Miss returns to action when the Lady Eagles hit the road for a three-game Conference USA series at East Carolina, Mar. 15-16.
