Southern Miss
Houston
Softball Eagles Fall to Houston in Series Finale, 12-3
4/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 26, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Houston scored runs in four of the five innings, including a six-run fifth in defeating Southern Miss in the series finale, 12-3, Sunday afternoon at the USM Softball Complex.
Southern Miss falls to 24-24-2 overall and 10-10-1 in C-USA, while Houston improved to 23-21 and 10-9.
Baillie Lott (14-9) earned the win for the Cougars, giving up six hits and three runs, all earned. For Southern Miss, Samantha Davis (11-9) suffered the loss working 4.0 innings.
Six different Golden Eagles recorded a hit, including a three doubles by Megan Hill, Logan James and Ashley Razey. Jesscia Valis led Houston with a 4-for-4 day at the plate. Laurie Wagner, Christa Raley, Casey Willow and Katy Beth Sherman all had two hits apiece.
Houston put up a run in the first when Jessica Valis led off with a double to left center and was sacrificed to third by Bush. Elaina Nordstrom then singled up the middle to plate Jessica Valis.
Southern Miss responded in the bottom half of the frame. Megan Hill reached base with her 43rd walk of the season. Leslie LeJune was able to beat out a bunt for a single, and both runners moved up a base on an error by the second baseman. Kristin Pilgrim then singled to right, driving in Hill. With runners at the corners and one out, Razey hit a grounder to third and the Cougars were able to get out of the inning when Raley got LeJune in a rundown trying to go home and got Pilgrim in a rundown trying to advance to third.
Houston got three more runs in the second when the Cougars loaded the bases on three consecutive hits and Bush singled to center to drive in Willow and Sherman. Jessica Valis scored on a fielder's choice by Nordstrom when the Eagles couldn't get the force at second.
The Golden Eagles got a run back after Dinelt walked and Hill doubled down the left field line to plate Dinelt with two outs.
Houston added two more runs in the fourth with Sherman and Jessica Valis reached base on two consecutive bunt singles. Bush reached on an Eagle throwing error, allowing Sherman to score and Jessica Valis to get to third. Nordstrom then flew out to center field and LeJune threw a strike to Pilgrim who tagged out Jessica Valis trying to score from third. Wagner then singled to center to score Bush.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Eagles had a chance to get a run back but could not get in James after doubled to left center with one out.
Houston then got six runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Melissa Gregson led off with a walk and Haley Valis followed with a triple to right center to score Gregson. Lana Vaughn came on in relief and Valis was able to get home on a wild pitch. Willow doubled to left followed by a Sherman walk and a Jessica Valis infield single to load the bases. Courtney Ramos entered the game in relief of Vaughn. Bush recorded an RBI on a ground out to short. Nordstrom fouled out to the catcher before Wagner singled to drive in Sherman and Jessica Valis. Wagner scored off a Raley double.
Southern Miss scored its final run in the bottom after LeJune walked to open the inning. Lott caught Pilgrim looking and got James to fly out center. Razey then doubled to left center to score LeJune from first. Lott then struck out Castelliv.
Southern Miss concludes the home portion of its schedule Wednesday when the Golden Eagles host Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. The three seniors, Davis, Pilgrim and Brittney Jones will be honored in a postgame ceremony.
