
Big Inning Lifts Bisons Past Softball
2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score | Box Score | Photo Gallery
GULF SHORES, Ala. -- The Southern Miss softball team dropped a 6-1 decision to Lipscomb on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Golden Eagles led 1-0 until the Bisons scored five runs in the top of the sixth to earn the victory.
In the circle, Samantha Robles was charged with the loss. The redshirt sophomore worked 6.1 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits. Robles struck out four batters without issuing a walk. After surrendering a pair of singles to start the game, Robles retired 13 consecutive batters and 14-of-15 through the first five innings. Robles gave way to Danielle Block. The junior worked 0.2 scoreless innings allowing a single and a walk.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles tallied five hits, paced by Katie Cleary who reached base three times. The senior finished the day 2-for-2 with a double, a RBI and a hit by pitch. Kaelyn Christofferson, Tori Dew, and Rachel Johnson each added base hits on the day with R. Johnson scoring a run.
The game was scoreless until the third inning when Southern Miss broke the deadlock. R. Johnson singled to right center field to lead off the inning. She moved into scoring position on a Morgan McKeever sacrifice bunt. She moved to third on a ground out and came around to score on a single to left field by Cleary.
The Golden Eagles threatened to increase their advantage in the bottom of the fifth. Samantha Reynolds led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by R. Johnson. She moved to third on a groundout. Lauren Holifield lifted a 2-1 pitch deep to left field, which looked to be the transfer's first home run wearing black and gold, but Lipscomb's left fielder Destinee Brewer robbed Holifield at the wall to end the inning.
The Bisons used three consecutive singles, including a pair of infield hits to load the bases with no outs. Robles induced a foul out to Christofferson for the first out. A shallow fly ball to left field was hauled in by Sarah Evans for out number two. The Golden Eagles were one pitch away from getting out of the jam, but Lipscomb's Abby Fenichel lifted a 0-2 pitch into the air for a double to right center field, clearing the bases and giving the Bisons a 3-1 advantage. Sarah Higgins continued the inning with a two-RBI home run to center field, giving the designated visitors a 5-1 lead.
Lipscomb added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and Southern Miss was unable to rally in the bottom of the frame, falling 6-1.
Southern Miss returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 17 as the Golden Eagles host Alabama State in the home opener for the Black and Gold. The doubleheader between the two teams is slated for 4:00 p.m. at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. Live stats and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the game.