Southern Miss
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Softball Sweeps Day Two of Lion Classic II
2/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HAMMOND, La. - The Southern Miss softball team improved to 5-3 overall with a pair of victories on the second day of the Lion Classic II in Hammond, La. The Golden Eagles recorded a 12-3 five-inning run-rule victory over Houston Baptist in the morning game, before recording a 4-0 shutout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the second game of the day.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles hit .412 as a team on the day, going 21-of-51 with a double, a triple, a home run, eight walks, two hit by pitches 16 runs scored and 16 RBI. Sarah Evans led the team with a .667 clip on the afternoon, finishing the day 4-for-6. Katie Cleary and Kaelyn Christofferson each went 4-of-7 on the afternoon. Cleary notched a double, a triple and a team-best seven RBI, while Christofferson scored a team-best four runs on the day. Samantha Robles had a pair of hits, including a three-run home run to give the Golden Eagles a walk-off run-rule victory in game one.
In the circle, Robles and Jillian Johnson combined for a pair of victories and a collective 1.75 earned run average. Robles improved to 2-1 with a victory in the first game. The sophomore allowed three runs on six hits in four innings of work. She did not allow a walk and struck out a season-best four batters. Johnson, who earned her first collegiate start in the circle, tossed a complete-game shutout against UAPB. The freshman allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out a career-best four batters. The shutout was the first of the season for Southern Miss and the first of J. Johnson's career. In three appearances, J. Johnson has recorded 14.1 scoreless innings of work.
Southern Miss concludes play in the Lion Classic II on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. against tournament-host Southeastern Louisiana. Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the game.
Game One vs. Houston Baptist
The Golden Eagles jumped out early and never looked back as the Black and Gold earned their second consecutive run-rule victory. Cleary finished the game a home run away from the cycle, while pitcher Robles hit her first home run of the season - a three-run homer to right field to secure the run-rule victory.
Southern Miss was the first to plate a run, scratching the scoreboard four times in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Christofferson singled up the middle. She moved to third on a single by Evans. On the play, Evans advanced to second on the throw to third. Cleary followed with a triple over the head of the center fielder, scoring Christofferson and Evans. With two outs, Mallory Hayden and Bailey Stokes loaded the bases with back-to-back walks. Michelle Stringer doubled the Golden Eagles' lead with a two-RBI single to right center field, putting the designated home team in front 4-0.
The Golden Eagles added a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Christofferson led off the inning with a bunt single and stole second to move into scoring position. Evans singled through the left side of the inning to give the Black and Gold runners on the corners. Evans stole second base to give the Golden Eagles a pair of base runners in scoring position. Cleary drove home both runners with a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield, pushing the lead to 6-0.
Houston Baptist rallied in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits. The leadoff batter singled up the middle and the Huskies used a bunt single to place a second runner on base. The next batter doubled to left center field, driving home the first run of the inning. HBU used a sacrifice fly to right field to score the second run of the inning and a RBI double for the third. The Golden Eagles closed out the inning with a strikeout and a ground out to end the rally.
Southern Miss increased its lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Christofferson singled to the shortstop and moved to second base on an Evans walk. Cleary drove home a run with a RBI double to left center field, scoring Christofferson. The Huskies used a fielder's choice to eliminate the lead runner and leave Southern Miss with runners on the corners. Hayden followed with an RBI single to score Cleary and extend the Golden Eagles advantage to 8-3.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Golden Eagles put the game away. Rachel Johnson led off the inning with a single to short. She advanced to second on a ground out and came around to score on a RBI single by Evans. Cleary reached on a fielding error by the Huskies that left runners on first and second with one out. Samantha Reynolds came in to pinch run for Cleary. With runners on first and second, Robles ended the game with one swing as the pitcher hit a home run over the right field fence for the walk-off run-rule 12-3 victory.
Game Two vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
In game two, the Golden Eagles used timely hitting and defense to post their first shutout victory of the season. Southern Miss surrendered just two singles and a pair of walks in the shutout.
Southern Miss broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Evans led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. The Lady Lions eliminated Evans on a fielder's choice that allowed Cleary to reach base safely. Peyton Garner entered the game to pinch run at first base and quickly moved to second base on a wild pitch. Robles followed with a RBI single to right center field to put Southern Miss on the scoreboard, 1-0.
In the fifth inning, the Golden Eagles added a pair of runs to increase their lead to 3-0. Morgan McKeever recorded an infield single and Christofferson followed with a bunt single. R. Johnson reached on a fielder's choice, leaving Southern Miss with runners on first and second. Evans singled to right center field to load the bases. Cleary followed with a two-RBI single up the middle, extending the lead.
The Black and Gold added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Stokes led off the inning with a walk. Reynolds entered the game to pinch run for stokes. She advanced to second base on a wild pitch and moved to third on a groundout. With two outs, Selena Estrada delivered a pinch-hit RBI single through the left side, scoring Reynolds for the final margin of victory, 4-0.
