Southern Miss
UAB
Softball Team Takes Conference USA Series Over UAB, 7-1
3/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss scored runs in four-consecutive innings in defeating UAB, 7-1, Sunday to win the series.
Samantha Davis (9-7) recorded her ninth win of the season as she worked seven innings, giving up six hits and allowed only one run, while Kayla Harris (8-7) got the loss.
"It's good any time you take two of three from a conference rival," head coach Howard Dobson said. "We know we've got the hardest part of our schedule behind us, now we have a chance to make up some ground."
UAB (18-21, 5-7) opened the game scoring in the top of the first when Holly Krzan reached first on a walk then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Walker Leigh Walker. Andrea Rogers hit a double to left center, plating Krzan for the 1-0.
Harris made quick work in the bottom of the frame retiring all three Southern Miss batters. UAB threatened again in the top of the second inning, loading the bases with no outs. Davis was able wiggle out of the jam when she struck out Caley Walden, then got Krzan to hit a grounder to get the force at home. Walker then grounded out to third for the final out.
In the bottom of the inning, Harris continued to silence the Lady Eagle bats, retiring the next three batters.
Davis then got a three-up and three down on the Blazers in the top of the third. Allison Bullard got the Lady Eagles' first hit of the game as she singled through third and short. Megan Hill then delivered her third triple of the season when she hit a fly ball close to the right field line that hit off a diving UAB player, scoring Bullard.
Southern Miss (18-19, 4-8) put three more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Jennifer Fox singled to center. Holly Milner came on to pinch run for Fox. Milner was able to advance to third on a double off the left field fence by Lauren Castellvi. Ashlyn Harmon reached base on a throwing error, scoring Milner and Castellvi. Harmon reached third on a deep fly ball by Brittney Jones then scored on a wild pitch.
UAB threatened in the top of the fifth when the Blazers had two-consecutive by Walker and Rogers. Both runners advanced a base on a sac bunt by Harris. Davis then got Laura Callaway to hit a grounder to Castellvi, who was able to get the lead runner at home. Cameron Skates then grounded out to the pitcher.
"Yesterday she (Kayla Harris) was the aggressor, she took control of the game and we never got it back," Dobson said. "Today we took control and dictated the pace of the game."
Despite the pitching change heading into the bottom of the inning, the Lady Eagles responded with two more runs. Bullard reached base after being hit by a pitch. She then stole second. Kristin Chaney reached base on a Blazer error, then stole second. Kristin Pilgrim singled up the middle, plating Bullard and Chaney.
Only one runner reached base in the six when Davis hit a batter, then retired the next two batters.
Southern Miss added a final run in the bottom of the six after Castellvi walked and advanced to second on a single by Harmon. Jones then advanced both runners on a sac bunt. Brandi Alonzo came on to pinch hit for Brittney Pigott and reached base after she was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Megan Harbuck pinch hit for Bullard and reached on a walk, scoring Castellvi. Hill then hit into a double-play to end the inning.
In the final frame, UAB opened the inning with a single by Walker. Harris also singled before Davis got Callaway to fly out to right and Skates popped out to second.
Southern Miss hits the road for a single game against Southeastern Louisiana, April 2. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
