Southern Miss
Western Kentucky
Softball Drops Doubleheader at WKU
4/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Southern Miss softball team dropped a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon on the road with Western Kentucky at WKU Softball Complex. The Lady Toppers (24-7, 9-2 Conference USA) earned a 7-1 victory in game one, before posting a 6-0 win over the Golden Eagles (16-23, 2-12 C-USA).
Offensively, the Black and Gold notched seven hits during the twin bill, including a double by Bailey Stokes. Kaelyn Christofferson led the team with two hits on the day, while Morgan McKeever, Selena Estrada, Samantha Reynolds and Mallory Hayden each added hits. Stokes, McKeever and Jordan Beck each drew walks on the day, while Katie Cleary was hit by a pitch to reach base safely.
In the circle, a quartet of pitchers saw action in the double dip. Shelbee Rodgers started the first game, but was relieved by Danielle Block. Block worked 6.0 innings in relieve allowing four runs (four earned runs) on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. In game two, Jillian Johnson worked the first 4.2 innings before giving way to Emily Wood. J. Johnson was charged with six runs (five earned runs) on seven hits with no walks and a strikeout. Wood allowed one walk in 1.1 innings of work, but faced the minimum thanks to one of two double plays turned on the day by the Golden Eagles defense.
Southern Miss and Western Kentucky conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the WKU Softball Complex. Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the game.
Game 1 Recap
Southern Miss was the first team to score in game one, putting a run on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Morgan McKeever drew a leadoff walk to start things off for the Golden Eagles. Samantha Reynolds was able to beat out a bunt for a single to give the Black and Gold a pair of runners. With one out, Katie Cleary was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. With the bases juiced, McKeever came around to score on a passed ball.
Western Kentucky responded with five runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Lady Toppers were helped out by three walks and two illegal pitches. Tied 1-1 with the bases loaded and no outs, WKU used a grand slam by Carleigh Chaumont to take a 5-1 lead.
The game remained 5-1 until the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, a hit batter placed a runner on first. The Toppers' Dani Pugh lifted a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to extend the lead to 7-1.
Game 2 Recap
Game two was a pitcher's duel for the first four innings, before Western Kentucky claimed the victory.
The game was knotted at 0-0 until the third inning with the Lady Toppers broke the scoreless tie. The leadoff batter sinlged to center field. The next batter attempted a sacrifice bunt to move the runner. On the play, the Golden Eagles committed two errors, allowing the lead runner to come around to score an unearned run. Johnson induced a double play and a groundout to end the inning with Southern Miss down 1-0.
WKU added a run in the fourth inning. With two outs, the Toppers used a single and a stolen base to put a runner in scoring position. A second single of the inning scored the lead runner and extended the lead to 2-0.
In the fifth inning, Western Kentucky added four insurance runs. The inning was highlighted by a three-RBI bases loaded double by Chaumont to give the home team a 6-0 advantage.
