University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Rhode Island
Golden Eagle Softballers Close Out Tournament with Split Sunday
2/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2012
HATTIESBURG, Miss - Southern Miss closed out the final day of the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic with another split performance, topping Rhode Island 12-0 and falling to Central Arkansas 10-9 on Sunday at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
"There were a lot of positives things to be seen in today's games," said co-head coach Jon Malgradi. "We're looking forward to getting back to practice on Tuesday and continue to get to where we expect to be as the season goes on."
Pitcher Beth Dietrich picked up her first season win in the victory over Rhode Island which was ended after five innings due to the run rule.
In the tournament's final game, Southern Miss was unable to hold on to its six-run lead as Central Arkansas rallied back with nine runs in the final two frames to take home the decision.
Game 1:
The Golden Eagle offense secured a 1-0 lead in the first after a wild pitch and two errors allowed Taylor Brown to cross home plate.
In the second frame, the Golden Eagles recorded four singles and five runs to advance their lead to 6-0 at the mercy of the Ram's three errors.
A pair of singles by Stephanie Shiflet and Brown paired with a double from Chanell Thurman allowed the Eagles four more runs for a 10-0 lead through three innings.
Golden Eagle bats stayed hot with two singles in the fifth from Leslie LeJune and Thurman. Britney Dinelt cleared the bases with a hard hit double down the third base to finalize the win for the Eagles at 12-0.
Dietrich and the Eagle defense remained impenetrable while the Rams recorded five errors giving Cara Martin from Rhode Island the loss after a five innings of work.
Game 2:
Shiflet and Mackenzie Sher were a dynamic duo in the first inning, both recording singles and a stolen base to advance the Eagles with the early 1-0 lead.
In the second frame, the Golden Eagles scored five runs on two errors with a Dinelt double and a LeJune single that snuck under the center fielder's legs and rolled to the wall. LeJune's hit cleared the bases loaded situation and the senior legged it out to come home on the play, pushing the Southern Miss lead to 6-0.
Southern Miss added a single run in the fourth inning before Central Arkansas began their rally. After holding the Bears to five hits and playing errorless softball through five innings, the Golden Eagles committed a pair of errors and gave up two hits and six runs in the sixth inning to allow Central Arkansas to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bears completed their comeback by adding three more runs in the seventh inning.
Southern Miss rallied back to 10-9 off a double down the line from Danielle LaPointe, but that was all they could muster before falling in the final frame.
The Golden Eagles will return to play Wednesday as they travel to Nicholls State before returning home play Friday for their second tournament at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. in Thibodaux, La.
