Southern Miss
Houston
Southern Miss Drops Opening Game, 4-3 in Extra Innings
3/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2010
HOUSTON, Texas - Houston scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Southern Miss, 4-3, in the Conference USA opener Saturday afternoon.
Houston's Amanda Crabtree (3-4) struck out 14 batters and allowed only three hits in earning the win for the Cougars. The Eagles' Courtney Ramos (5-4) took the loss.
Southern Miss got on the scoreboard first when Logan James lined a hit to right to start the inning. Christina Roosmalen then reached on an error and James advance to second. Lauren Castellvi drew a walk to load the bases. The Eagles scored when Brandi Alonzo was hit by pitch sending Castellvi to second, Roosmalen to third and James home.
The Golden Eagles started the third inning with Stephanie Shiflet reaching base with a bunt single then stole second. Hill drew a walk and Jill Mathis reached bases on an error by third base to load the bases with no outs. James then singled to left scoring Shiflet and Hill. Crabtree then settled in and struck out side to get out of the bases loaded jam.
Houston scored its first run with two outs when Jennifer Klinkert drew a walk and advanced to second on a stolen base. Angela Spittler reached on an error and Klinkert was able to score from second.
The Cougars added a run in the bottom of the fifth when Brooke Lathan led off with homered to left center.
Houston tied the game in the sixth as Spittler led off with single through the left side. Reina Gaber was called out on batter interference. Spittler advanced to second on an illegal pitch and Anderson drew a walk. Katy Beth Sherman hit hard ball down first for double down right field line, scoring Spittler from second.
Crabtree retired the next six batters heading into the bottom of the eighth. Holly Anderson reached first on a throwing error and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Sherman. Lathan flew out to right and Anderson went to third. Jones then hit an infield single to score Anderson for the winning run.
