Southern Miss
#5 Alabama
Big Inning Rolls No. 5 Alabama Past Softball
4/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Southern Miss softball team fell on the road to No. 5 Alabama on Wednesday night at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide used an 8-run inning to take control of the game and earn the run-rule victory.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles notched four hits in the game. Michelle Stringer hit her first home run of the season to score and drive in the only run of the game. Morgan McKeever, Samantha Reynolds and Katie Cleary also added hits in the game.
In the circle, the Black and Gold used a duo of pitchers. Shelbee Rodgers earned the start and took the loss. The fifth-year senior allowed nine runs (eight earned runs) on nine hits and three walks while striking out one. Rodgers was relieved by Danielle Block in the fourth inning. Block allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout.
Alabama was the first team to score, plating three runners in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, the Crimson Tide used an infield single to place a runner on first. The runner stole second base to move into scoring position. The next batter walked and the lead runner moved to third as ball four was in the dirt. The trail runner stole second base and a fielding error by the Golden Eagles allowed the lead runner to score. The next batter extended the inning with a RBI single to right center field. The Crimson Tide used a passed ball and a RBI single to score the final run of the inning and take a 3-0 lead.
Southern Miss chipped into the lead with one swing in the top of the second inning. With two outs, Stringer turned on a two-two pitch, driving it over the left field wall. The home run was the first of the season for Stringer and the second of her Golden Eagle career. With the run, Southern Miss became the first team from the state of Mississippi to score a run on Alabama this season. Prior to the run, Bama had posted three shutouts against Ole Miss and blanked Mississippi Valley State in single game.
The Crimson Tide added a run in the bottom of the third. Alabama used a single and a one-out double to push the lead back to three runs.
Bama took control of the game with eight runs in the fourth inning. The Crimson Tide sent 13 players to the plate, including eight before an out was recorded. Alabama scored the eight runs on five hits, three walks and a pair of Southern Miss errors. The Tide used a two RBI triple and a three-run homer to do most of its damage.
In the fifth inning, the Golden Eagles were unable to extend the game, falling to the nationally-ranked home team, 12-1.
Southern Miss returns to action on Tuesday, April 7, as the Golden Eagles return home for a doubleheader with Troy. First pitch between the Golden Eagles and Trojans is slated for 4:00 p.m. Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the games.
