Southern Miss
Florida Gulf Coast
Rally Falls Short as FGCU Edges Softball
2/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Southern Miss softball team trailed Florida Gulf Coast 6-0 after the top of the first inning, but fought back and nearly completed a come-from-behind victory, dropping a 6-5 decision on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Sand Dollar Classic.
The Golden Eagles offense was able to chip away at the FGCU lead thanks to 6.1 scoreless innings by true freshman pitcher Jillian Johnson. The rookie entered the game in the first inning with two outs and induced an inning-ending ground out. From there, J. Johnson allowed just a pair of hits and two walks in her first outing of the season. The Lynn Haven, Fla. native retired 12 consecutive batters form the third inning to the seventh and sat down 15 of the final 16 batters she faced. J. Johnson notched three strikeouts in the game, including a strikeout to end the seventh inning.
Shelbee Rodgers took the loss for the Golden Eagles. The pitcher worked 0.2 of an inning surrendering six runs (five earned runs) on five hits and two walks with a strikeout.
Offensively, Southern Miss outhit FGCU 8-to-7 and posted the only extra-base hit of the game. Sarah Evans finished the game with a pair of hits, including a double and two runs scored. Samantha Reynolds, Katie Cleary, Samantha Robles, Mallory Hayden, Selena Estrada and Michelle Stringer each added hits in the game. Cleary, McKeever and Peyton Garner each added runs, while Reynolds, Robles, McKeever, Hayden and Estrada each drove in runs.
Florida Gulf Coast was the first to score, sending six runs across the plate. The leadoff batter bunted for a single to start off the game. She stole second and advanced to third on a single to left center field. The Eagles used a walk to load the bases with no outs. FGCU scored the first run of the game as the next batter drew a four-pitch walk. The Golden Eagles responded, striking out the next batter on three straight pitches. The Eagles continued the inning with a single to second base. On the play, an errant throw to first allowed an additional runner to advance home. With runners on first and third, FGCU dropped down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners and plating a run. Florida Gulf Coast continued the inning with a single down the left field line, scoring a run. On the play, the batter was able to advance to second on the throw to the plate. The runner moved to third base on a passed ball and came around to score on a single through the left side of the infield. J. Johnson entered the game to pitch and induced a groundout to third base to end the inning with the Golden Eagles trailing 6-0.
Southern Miss chipped into the FGCU lead in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Evans doubled to left center field. Cleary followed with a four-pitch walk and Robles was hit by a pitch to load the bases. McKeever was hit by a pitch to score Evans from third and put the designated home team on the scoreboard. The Black and Gold were unable to extend the rally as a strikeout ended the inning.
The Golden Eagles inched closer with a run in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, McKeever reached base on a throwing error by the Eagles. She advanced to second on a groundout. Estrada pinch hit and recorded a RBI single to score McKeever and close the gap to 6-2.
In the sixth inning, the Black and Gold cut the lead in half with a run. Hayden led off the inning with a single up the middle. Garner pinch ran for Hayden and advanced to second on wild pitch. Garner moved up one base on a fly out to deep right field. With two outs, Reynolds singled up the middle to score Garner from third and move the Golden Eagles to within striking distance at 6-3.
After holding FGCU scoreless in the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles started the inning with a walk by Evans and a single by Cleary. With two on and no outs, Robles singled down the left field line, scoring Evans. On the play, Robles was able to advance to second, leaving the tying run on second base. With one out, the Black and Gold used a RBI groundout to pull to within one at 6-5 and place the potential tying run on third base. However, Florida Gulf Coast induced a ground out to end the game.
Southern Miss returns to action next weekend at the Lion Classic hosted by Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La. The Golden Eagles will open the tournament with Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3:00 p.m.). Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the tournament.
