Southern Miss
Detroit
Softball Sweeps Detroit in Midweek Doubleheader
3/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss softball recorded a pair of victories over Detroit on Wednesday night at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Golden Eagles rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the seventh inning to claim a 5-4 win in game one before earning a 7-4 win in game two.
Offensively, the team batted .385 on the night, going 20-for-52 with six doubles and a triple. Morgan McKeever and Sarah Evans each paced the team with four hits apiece with Evans boasting three doubles. Selena Estrada recorded three hits, including a triple, while Samantha Robles, Mallory Hayden and Katie Cleary each had two hits apiece. Robles finished with a pair of doubles while Arielle Pollock added a two bagger.
In the circle, Samantha Robles and Danielle Block each notched victories, while Jillian Johnson earned her first collegiate save. The pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts with just four walks.
Shelbee Rodgers earned a no decision in game one. The senior tossed 4.0 innings, scattering five hits. Rodgers allowed four runs (three earned runs) with a walk and four strikeouts. She gave way to Robles, who picked up her fifth win of the season. Robles allowed no runs on two hits with two strikeouts.
In game two, Block earned the start and picked up her second win of the season. She allowed three runs (two earned runs) on two hits and three walks. Block struck out a pair of batters. J. Johnson earned her first collegiate save, tossing the final three innings of the game. She allowed a run on two hits with four strikeouts.
Southern Miss returns to action this weekend as the Golden Eagles open up Conference USA play at home against UTSA. Live stats, live video and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the weekend.
Game One
In game one, the Golden Eagles rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim a one-run victory.
Detroit was the first team to score, plating three runs in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, the Titans got on the scoreboard with back-to-back doubles. The runner advanced to third on a passed ball. With two outs, Detroit extended the inning with a walk. The trail runner stole second base to move into scoring position. The next batter followed with a single, scoring the lead runner. The Titans executed a double steal for the final run of the inning and giving the visitors a 3-0 advantage.
The Titans extended their lead with a run in the top of the fifth inning. The leadoff batter doubled to left field. After a pitching change, an infield single left Detroit with runners on the corners. The Titans used a single to left field to score the lead runner. The Golden Eagles used a sacrifice bunt and a pair of strikeouts to close out the inning and the threat down 4-0.
Southern Miss trimmed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. McKeever lead off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield. Pollock entered the game to pinch run for McKeever. Estrada pinch hit and singled to right field. Pollock moved to third base on a deep fly ball to right field. Pollock came around to score on a double steal attempt by the Golden Eagles.
The score remained 4-1 until the bottom of the seventh inning. McKeever led off the inning with a single through the right side. With one out, the Titans made a pitching change. Evans followed with a double to left center field, giving the Golden Eagles a pair of runners in scoring position. Cleary followed with a base hit to right field, scoring McKeever and Evans. On the play, Cleary was able to advance to third base. Detroit made a second pitching change in the inning. Robles double to right field, scoring Cleary and tying the game. Rodgers re-entered the game to run for Robles. After a walk, Rodgers moved to third base on a wild pitch. Bailey Stokes hit a deep fly ball to left field, scoring Rodgers - the winning run - on the sacrifice fly.
In game two, the Golden Eagles jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Estrada led off the inning with a triple and Pollock walked, giving Southern Miss runners on the corners. Estrada was called for leaving early for the first out, but Evans doubled to center field to give the Black and Gold a pair of base runners in scoring position. Cleary drove in Pollock with a RBI groundout, giving the home team a 1-0 advantage.
Detroit responded with a run in the top of the third inning. The leadoff batter walked and advanced to third on a throwing error by Southern miss. The Golden Eagles recorded the first out of the inning catching the trail runner trying to steal. On the play, the lead runner came home to score, tying the game.
The Titans took the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. With one out, Detroit used a walk and a double to place a pair of runners in scoring position. The Titans used a sacrifice fly to take the lead. The runner stole third base and came home on a RBI double, extending the advantage to 3-1.
The Golden Eagles responded with six runs on five hits, batting around in the bottom of the fourth inning. Michelle Stringer walked to start off the inning. Stoke entered the game to pinch hit, while Peyton Garner went to first to run. Stokes moved Garner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Estrada singled up the middle, scoring Garner. On the play, Estrada advanced to second base. Pollock followed with a double to left field, scoring Estrada and tying the game at 3-3. Evans doubled off the center field wall to give Southern Miss the lead. After a pitching change, Cleary worked the count full before drawing a walk. Rachel Johnson was placed on first to run for Cleary. Robles walked to load the bases and Samantha Reynolds pinch ran for Robles. McKeever followed with a two-RBI single to center field. During the play, the center fielder dropped the ball, allowing Reynolds to advance to third on the play. The Titans made a second pitching change and used a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning. During the play, Reynolds scored, increasing the Southern Miss lead. Garner delivered an infield single and stokes walked to load the bases again, but the Titans were able to get out of the inning with a strikeout.
The Titans used a solo home run from Kayla Kostich to trim the lead to 7-4, but the Golden Eagles were able to thwart any comeback attempt and preserve the three-run victory.
