Southern Miss
Incarnate Word
Robles' Career Night Leads Softball in Gulf Coast Classic
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GULFPORT, Miss. - Southern Miss' Samantha Robles notched a career-high eight strikeouts as the Golden Eagles defeated Incarnate Word, 2-1, on Friday night in the opening game of the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic in Gulfport, Miss. The Black and Gold have now won four games in a row, improving to 9-4 on the season.
In the circle, Robles posted a career-high eight Ks, including four inning-ending strikeouts. Robles allowed one run on two hits in the complete game effort. The sophomore posted four 1-2-3 innings on her way to her fourth victory of the season.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles scored two runs on five hits, relying on Robles' pitching and defense to earn the victory. Morgan McKeever, Samantha Reynolds, Katie Cleary, Samantha Robles and Arielle Pollock each notched hits in the game with McKeever recording the only extra-base hit of the night for either team. McKeever and Reynolds each scored in the game with Cleary driving in a run. The team drew five walks led by two by Robles and Bailey Stokes. Mallory Hayden also drew a free pass.
Southern Miss was the first team to score, cracking the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. McKeever led off the game with a bloop double down the left field line. Reynolds dropped down a bunt and beat the throw to first base for an infield single. Reynolds stole second base to give the Golden Eagles a pair of runners in scoring position. With one out, Cleary plated the first run of the game with a RBI groundout to second base. Robles walked to give the Black and Gold runners on the corners. Hayden reached on a fielding error by the Cardinals and on the play, Reynolds came in to score. The Golden Eagles loaded the bases with a Stokes walk, but Incarnate Word was able to escape the inning without allowing any more runs.
Incarnate Word cut the Southern Miss lead in half in the bottom of the frame. The leadoff batter singled to left field. She advanced to third on a one-out single to right center field. A fielding error by the Golden Eagles allowed the Cardinals to score. Robles and Southern Miss escaped any further damage with a groundout and a bases loaded strikeout.
Neither team was able to score the remainder of the game as both teams displayed excellent fielding. Roble retired the second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings in order, posting four strikeouts in those frames. In the seventh inning, the sophomore set a career-high mark in strikeouts with her seventh and eighth K.
Southern Miss closes out the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic with a pair of games on Saturday. The Golden Eagles play Jackson State at 3:00 p.m. before closing out the tournament with a game against Nicholls at 8:00 p.m. Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available for both games.
