Southern Miss
UCF
UCF Sweeps the Golden Eagles in Conference USA Softball Series
3/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 28, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss suffered its first run-rule game of the season, falling to Conference USA opponent UCF in the series finale, 8-0.
UCF's Ashleigh Cole (14-6) limited the Golden Eagle batters to only two hits and allowing only four base runners in the contest on her way to posting her 14th win of the season. Freshman Beth Dietrich (3-3) started in the circle for Southern Miss took the loss only lasting 2.1 innings of work.
Southern Miss drops to 12-14 overall and 0-6 in league play while UCF improved to 22-12 and remained atop of the C-USA standings with a 7-1 record.
UCF jumped out early on the Golden Eagles, putting up three runs in the top of the first inning. Natalie Land started off the frame with a single up the middle of the infield, before stealing second with two outs. A single by Arielle Palafox through the right side brought Land in to plate the first run of the contest. On a fielder's choice and an error, the Knights put runners on second and third for Marissa Menendez, who knocked a single into left field, and as the left fielder bobbled the ball, both Palafox and Lane would cross the plate for UCF.
Southern Miss threatened in the bottom half of the frame as Megan Hill drew a walk and Logan James followed with a single to shallow center, sending Hill to third. The Eagles could not push the run across as Cole caught Jill Mathis looking to end the inning.
The Knights added two more runs in the top of the third as Palafox and Land each drove in a run to put UCF up by five. Abby McClain was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, before back-to-back-to-back singles by Hillary Barrow, Palafox and Lane gave UCF a five-run lead.
The Golden Eagles put two runners on in the bottom half of the inning as Stephanie Shiflet beat out a bunt and moved to second when Hill drew her second walk of the game. Cole then got James to ground out to third to end the threat.
UCF extended its lead to eight runs in the fifth when Land led off with a single and a stolen base and scored on a throwing error by the USM second baseman. A pair of ground outs brought Barrow around to score, before three-consecutive single from Menendez, Cole and Vanessa Perez gave the Knights the eight run lead, allowed the game to be called in five innings after the Golden Eagles failed to score in the bottom half of the frame.
After the third inning, Cole would not allow another base runner for the Golden Eagles as she retired six consecutive batters.
Southern Miss returns to action on Wednesday, Mar. 31, when the Golden Eagles host in-state rival Jackson State in a mid-week doubleheader. First pitch is schedule for 4 p.m.
