Southern Miss
Ole Miss
Softball Battles Ole Miss Tough, But Drops Doubleheader
4/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
OXFORD, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team traveled to Oxford, Miss. for a doubleheader with in-state foe Ole Miss. The Golden Eagles dropped a 7-0 decision in game one before being edged 3-1 in the night cap at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles tallied 13 hits on the day, including five extra-base hits. The Black and Gold out-hit the Rebels in game two, but were unable to get timely hits, stranding six base runners.
Samantha Reynolds led all players with four hits, including three doubles on the day. Reynolds also scored a run and stole a base. Selena Estrada and Rachel Johnson each had a pair of hits on the day, while Katie Cleary, Shelbee Rodgers, Mallory Hayden, Kaelyn Christofferson and Sarah Evans each added base hits. Estrada and Christofferson each had doubles in the game. Morgan McKeever drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
In the circle, three pitchers saw action on the night - Jillian Johnson, Danielle Block and Rodgers.
J. Johnson earned the start in game one. The freshman surrendered six runs (five earned runs) on six hits in 1.1 innings, taking the loss. Block entered the game in relief of J. Johnson. She tossed 4.2 innings scattering six hits, allowing one run. Block did not allow a walk, while striking out one. In game two, Rodgers tossed a complete game, taking the hard-luck loss. The senior scattered five hits in 6.0 innings of work. She allowed three runs (two earned runs) with a walk and three strikeouts. Rodgers notched three 1-2-3 innings in her outing.
Southern Miss returns to action this weekend as the Golden Eagles host Middle Tennessee in Conference USA action. Live stats, live video and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the weekend.
Game 1 Recap
Ole Miss was the first team to plate a runner, scoring a pair in the bottom of the first inning. After a one-out walk, the Rebels' Miranda Strother lifted a pitch over the left center field wall to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.
The Rebels increased their advantage with four runs on five hits in the second inning. Three singles loaded the bases with one out. The next batter singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error by the Golden Eagles. Two runs came in to score on the play. The next batter followed with a two-RBI single to give the home team a 6-0 advantage.
The score remained 6-0 until the sixth inning when Ole Miss added a run to provide the final score. With one out and a runner on base, the Rebels used a single and a hit by pitch to load the bases. A fielder's choice recorded the second out, but allowed the lead runner to score from third. The Golden Eagles ended the inning with a pop up to short.
Game 2 Recap
In game two, the Golden Eagles led a majority of the game until a late rally lifted the Rebels to a 3-1 win.
Southern Miss jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Reynolds led off the game with a double and moved to third on a groundout. She tagged up came home for the first run of the game as McKeever flew out to center field for the sacrifice fly.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Golden Eagles until the fifth inning. With two outs, the Rebels used a double and an error to tie the game at 1-1.
Ole Miss took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rebels used a single and a home run to take a 3-1 lead in the inning that they would not relinquish.
