University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
UTSA
Long Ball Costly as Softball Drops DH to UTSA
3/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team opened Conference USA play against the league's top hitting squad and dropped a pair of games at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Golden Eagles fell 11-4 in game one before dropping a 7-3 decision in the nightcap.
The Roadrunners (17-5, 2-0 C-USA), who lead the conference in home runs, used five home runs to complete the doubleheader sweep over the Golden Eagles (12-7, 0-2 C-USA).
Offensively, the Black and Gold finished the day with 13 hits, including a home run and a pair of doubles. Jordan Beck and Morgan McKeever led the team with three hits apiece. Beck recorded her first collegiate multiple hit game, going 2-for-3 with a double and her first collegiate home run in game two. McKeever also added a double on the day. Sarah Evans continued her solid play with a pair of hits on the afternoon. Rachel Johnson led the team with a pair of runs scored, while Beck paced the team with two RBI.
In the circle, Southern Miss used four pitchers. Shelbee Rodgers (game one) and Jillian Johnson (game two) were charged with the losses. Danielle Block made appearances in both games, while Samantha Robles earned the start in game one before exiting after one inning. As a team, the Golden Eagles allowed five home runs, four doubles and seven walks, while striking out five.
Southern Miss and UTSA conclude the series with a single game on Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m. Live stats, live video and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the game.
Game 1 Recap
In game one, the two teams stayed close until the Roadrunners posted a six-run fifth inning and took control of the game.
UTSA was the first team to score, scratching the scoreboard with a run in the top of the first inning. With two outs, the Roadrunners used a walk and a RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.
Southern Miss responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to knot the score at 1-1. Selena Estrada led off the inning with a walk and moved into scoring position on a groundout. Evans followed with a walk and Robles delivered a RBI single to tie the game.
The Roadrunners regained the lead in the top of the third inning. The leadoff batter dropped down a bunt single, but was able to advance to third on a two-base throwing error by the Golden Eagles. The next batter flew out to left field, scoring the unearned run on the sacrifice fly.
The Golden Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs. Arielle Pollock reached base on a fielding error by UTSA. She advanced to second as Evans singled up the middle. Katie Cleary followed with a single through the right side of the infield. The ball was mishandled by the Roadrunners, allowing each runner to advance and Pollock to score. McKeever singled to score Evans and give Southern Miss a 3-2 advantage.
UTSA responded in the top of the fourth. With one out, the Roadrunners used a fielding error to place a runner on first. The runner stole second base to move into scoring position. With two outs, the runner advanced to third on an illegal pitch. The next batter doubled to left field, tying the game at 3-3. UTSA used a two-run home run by Kendall Burton to regain the lead at 5-3.
The Roadrunners extended their lead to 11-3 with a six-run fifth inning. UTSA used a one-out single and a Randee Crawford home run to push the lead to four runs. The next batter singled and advanced to second on an illegal pitch. The Roadrunners used a walk and a single to load the bases. The Golden Eagles went to the bullpen, bringing in Danielle Block. The next batter continued the inning with a RBI single and Burton plated a pair of runners with a double to left center field. The next batter flied out to center field, scoring a run on the sacrifice fly. The Golden Eagles caught the trail runner off the base for the final out of the inning.
With the threat of being run-ruled, the Golden Eagles scored to extend the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, McKeever walked. R. Johnson pinch ran at first base and moved to second base on a ground out. Beck delivered a pinch-hit RBI single down the right field line to score R. Johnson and extend the game.
Southern Miss was unable to tie the game or take the lead, falling for the first time at home, 11-4.
Game 2 Recap
In game two, UTSA used three home runs to score seven runs and claim the series.
In the first inning, the Roadrunners used a pair of walks to place a pair of runners on base. With two outs, UTSA's Crawford hit a three-run home run to put the visitors on the scoreboard.
UTSA extended their lead with a solo home run in the top of the second inning by Madison Kinley.
Southern Miss chipped into the lead with a run in the bottom of the third. McKeever doubled to left center field and advanced to third on a single to right field by Michelle Stringer. Kaelyn Christofferson plated a run with a RBI groundout.
In the fourth inning, the Golden Eagles cut the deficit to just two with one swing. Beck notched her first collegiate home run, a solo shot to left field.
The Roadrunners increased their lead in the sixth inning. UTSA used a one-out single to place a runner on base. The Golden Eagles recorded the second out of the inning, but an error extended the inning. With two on and two out, the C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Megan Low hit a three-run home run to extend the guest's advantage to 7-2.
Southern Miss attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Beck doubled to left center field, giving the true freshman her first multiple hit game of her short career. R. Johnson entered the game to pinch run. She advanced to second on a single by McKeever and came around to score on an error by the Roadrunners. McKeever, who advanced to second on the error, moved to third on a groundout. UTSA induced a game-ending groundout to secure the 7-3 victory.
