Southern Miss
Troy
Long Ball Costly as Softball Drops Doubleheader with Troy
4/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss softball team hosted Troy in a doubleheader on Tuesday night, falling to the Trojans, 4-2 in game one and dropping a 3-1 decision in game two at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Trojans (24-17) scored six of their seven runs off of home runs to earn the sweep of the Golden Eagles (16-21).
Offensively, Southern Miss finished the night with 10 hits, including a pair of hits by Kaelyn Christofferson, Katie Cleary and Sarah Evans. Mallory Hayden, Samantha Reynolds, Morgan McKeever and Danielle Block each added hits on the day. Christofferson, McKeever and Shelbee Rodgers each scored runs on the night, while Cleary, Reynolds and Block each drove in a run apiece. Cleary also reached base twice with a pair of walks, while Bailey Stokes also drew two walks.
In the circle, the Golden Eagles received a pair of complete game performances. In game one, Block scattered five hits in 7.0 innings of work. She walked three batters and struck out three. Rodgers pitched game two surrendering three runs on nine hits in 7.0 innings of work. She struck out six batters while walking just two. Both pitchers surrendered a pair of home runs apiece.
Southern Miss returns to action this weekend as the Golden Eagles travel to Bowling Green, Ky. for a three-game Conference USA series with Western Kentucky. Live stats, live video and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the weekend.
Game 1 Recap
Southern Miss was hurt by the long ball in game one, falling 4-2 to Troy.
The Golden Eagles were the first team to score, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. McKeever led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Reynolds. Evans followed with a single to left field, leaving runners on the corners. Cleary singled through the left side of the infield to score McKeever from third and put Southern Miss up 1-0.
The Trojans took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. The leadoff batter singled to start the inning, but was erased on a fielder's choice. Troy's Becca Hartley gave the visitors the lead with a two-run home run to center field. The Trojans' Ashley Rainey followed with solo home run to put Troy in front 3-1.
Troy added an insurance run in the fifth inning. The Trojans used a bunt single and a stolen base to place a runner in scoring position. The runner advanced to third on a groundout and came home to score on a sacrifice fly.
Southern Miss chipped into the lead in the sixth inning. Evans led off the inning with a single to left center field. Rodgers enter the game to pinch run for Evans at first base. Cleary followed with a walk on four pitches. Jordan Beck drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases. With two outs, Block helped her own cause by drawing a RBI walk to score Rodgers from third, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
The Golden Eagles were unable to score in the final inning, falling by two.
Game 2 Recap
In game two, the two teams were locked in a pitcher's duel for the first five innings.
Southern Miss broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Christofferson singled to the shortstop. She advanced to third on a throwing error by the Trojans. With two outs, Reynolds singled up the middle, scoring Christofferson from third.
Troy tied the score in the sixth inning. The Trojans' Hannah Day hit a solo home run to left field to knot the score at 1-1. The Trojans broke the tie with a pair of runs in the seventh inning. With one out, Troy used a single to place a runner on base. After a strikeout, the Trojans' Michelle Phelps hit a two-run home run to put the visitors in front 3-1.
