Southern Miss
Louisiana Tech
Softball Falls in Doubleheader with Louisiana Tech
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team dropped both games on a doubleheader with Conference USA rival Louisiana Tech on Saturday at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Golden Eagles fell 4-2 in the early games and were edged 3-1 in 10 innings in the second game of the twin bill.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles were led by Selena Estrada, Katie Cleary and Mallory Hayden. The trio hit .400 or better with Estrada leading the way, going 4-for-8. Cleary finished the day 3-for-7, while Hayden and Samantha Reynolds each added two hits apiece. Hayden and Morgan McKeever each had doubles on the day. Estrada, Cleary and McKeever each scored runs while, Estrada, Hayden and Reynolds each drove in runs.
In the circle, Danielle Block was charged with a pair of hard-luck losses. The sophomore earned the start in game one. She worked 5.0 innings allowing four runs (three earned runs) on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. In game two, she entered in relief, tossing 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with a pair of walks and four Ks.
Jillian Johnson earned a no decision, getting the start in game two. She scattered five hits over 3.2 innings, allowing one run. She walked four with three strikeouts. Shelbee Rodgers saw times in both games. She did not allow a run in 2.2 innings on the day allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out one.
The series finale is slated for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Live stats, live video and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the game.
Game 1 Recap
In game one, the two teams played almost even with the Lady Techsters holding a slight edge.
In the first inning, Louisiana Tech jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, LA Tech used a single up the middle and an Anna Cross home run to take a two-run advantage.
Southern Miss scored a run in the bottom of the second inning to cut the deficit in half. With one out, Cleary singled through the right side of the infield. Hayden followed with a walk to give the Golden Eagles a pair of base runners. Kaelyn Christofferson singled through the left side of the infield to load the bases. With two outs, Reynolds put the Black and Gold on the scoreboard with an infield single to third base.
The Lady Techsters extended their lead to three runs with a run in the fourth and the fifth innings. Following a double play, LA Tech used a hit batter and a walk to place a pair of runners on base in the top of the fourth. Louisiana Tech used a RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 3-1. In the fifth, LA Tech used a throwing error by Southern Miss to place a runner on base. With two outs, the runner stole second and a hit batter placed two runners on base. The pitcher Bianca Duran helped her cause with a RBI double to give the visitors a 4-1 advantage.
The Golden Eagles plated a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, McKeever doubled to center field. Estrada followed with a RBI single to right center field to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Neither team was able to score in the final two innings and Louisiana Tech claimed the 4-2 victory.
Game 2 Recap
The second game of the day was a defensive duel between the two teams.
Louisiana Tech used a leadoff home run by Krysta Tutsch in the second inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead.
Southern Miss responded with a run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Estrada led off the inning with a single to center field. Cleary followed with a single to left field to put a pair of runners on base. Hayden tied the game a one with a single to right center field, scoring Estrada from second.
Neither team was able to score in regulation, forcing extra innings. The two teams posted zeros defensively in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the 10th inning, Louisiana Tech broke the deadlock. With one out, Tutsch dropped down a bunt single. The Lady Techsters put in a pinch runner at first base. The runner moved to second on a Duran single to left center field. With two on and one out, the Golden Eagles went to the bullpen to bring in Rodgers. LA Tech put in another pinch runner for added speed on the bases. A walk loaded the bases with just one out. The next batter hit a ball to Michelle Stringer, who fielded the ball, spun around and tossed home to eliminate the lead runner. LA Tech's Karlee Jensen hit a two RBI single up the middle to score the go-ahead runs and give the visitors a 3-1 advantage.
The Golden Eagles were unable to rally in the bottom half of the inning, dropping the two-run decision in extra innings.
