Southern Miss
#23 South Alabama
Softball Concludes Mardi Gras Invite with Split
2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score vs. SIU-Edwardsville | Box Score vs. SIU-Edwardsville 
Box Score vs. No. 23 South Alabama | Box Score vs. No. 23 South Alabama
MOBILE, Ala. -- Southern Miss closed out the 2016 Mardi Gras Invitational with a split on the final day. The Golden Eagles rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat SIU-Edwardsville, 3-2, before succumbing to tournament-host and nationally ranked South Alabama, 10-2 in six innings, in the nightcap at Jaguar Field in Mobile, Ala.
In the circle, the Golden Eagles saw all four pitchers on the roster enter the circle. Samantha Robles tossed a complete game (7.0 innings) in game one of the day against SIUE. The redshirt sophomore surrendered two runs on five hits with a walk, while striking out four. In game two against No. 23 South Alabama, Southern Miss used three pitchers. Jillian Johnson earned the start in the circle. The sophomore worked 4.0 innings, scattering seven hits and allowing six runs (five earned runs) with four walks and a pair of strikeouts. Meredith Miller entered the game in relief with the true freshman hurling 1.1 innings giving up four runs on four hits with a walk. Danielle Block closed out the game, throwing 0.1 innings with a hit and a walk allowed.
Offensively, the Black and Gold tallied 11 hits on the day, led by a three-hit performance by Samantha Reynolds. Rachel Johnson, Lauren Holifield, and Morgan McKeever each had two hits apiece on the day. Holifield and Tori Dew each recorded doubles, while Dew, Katie Cleary and Jillian Johnson each drove in runs. Reynolds led the team with two runs scored.
Southern Miss returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 24 as the Golden Eagles host in-state rival Ole Miss in a doubleheader at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The twin bill is scheduled to be the Blackout Games and all fans are encouraged to wear black. First pitch against the Rebels is slated for 4:00 p.m. Live stats, live video, live audio, and in-game tweets (@SouthernMissSB) will be available throughout the two games.
Game 1 Recap -- Softball Outlasts SIUE in Pitchers' Duel
The Southern Miss softball team began the final day of the 2016 Mardi Gras Invitational with a 3-2 victory over SIU-Edwardsville on Sunday morning at Jaguar Field in Mobile, Ala. The Golden Eagles trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but rallied for two runs to claim their second come from behind victory in as many days.
For the first three innings, Robles faced the minimum and a walk shy of three perfect innings to start the game. The Cougars broke up the no-hitter with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. The Golden Eagles were able to keep SIU off of the scoreboard.
Southern Miss was the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. McKeever began the inning by reaching on a fielding error by SIU-Edwardsville. With one out, Dew doubled down the right field line to give the Golden Eagles a pair of base runners. McKeever broke the scoreless tie, crossing home plate on a passed ball by the SIUE catcher.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Golden Eagles until the seventh inning. The Cougars rallied to take the lead in the top of the inning. With one out, SIUE used a pinch hit single to left center field to place a runner on base. With two outs, Allison Smiley doubled to left field, scoring the lead runner and tying the score. A single scored the go-ahead run from second base, giving the designated visitors a 2-1 advantage.
In the bottom half of the inning, Southern Miss responded. Reynolds and R. Johnson began the inning with back-to-back singles. The runners both advanced into scoring position on a groundout. Reynolds came home as Cleary reached on a throwing error. With runners on second and third, Dew drove in the game-winning run with a fielder's choice.
The win was the sixth in the last eight games for the Golden Eagles and the second consecutive victory in come from behind fashion.
Game 2 Recap -- Softball Falls to Tournament-Host South Alabama
In the second game of the day, the Golden Eagles battled hard, but the nationally ranked Jaguars proved to be too much, claiming the 10-2 win in six innings.
Southern Miss opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning. McKeever singled to the pitcher to start off the game. She was eliminated as Cleary reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Samantha Papp reached base on a fielding error. Holifield singled to load the bases. R. Johnson drove home the first run of the game with a RBI walk.
South Alabama responded in the bottom of the inning. The first three batters in the lineup singled to load the bases. The Jaguars tied the game with a RBI walk. The inning continued as USA used a RBI ground out to take the lead. With two outs, South Alabama singled up the middle to take a 3-1 lead after one complete inning of play.
The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to just one with a run in the second. Reynolds singled to start the innings and McKeever moved her to third with a one-out single. Cleary plated Reynolds with a RBI groundout.
The score remained 3-2 until the fourth inning. South Alabama placed a runner on third with a one-out triple. The Jaguars plated the runner with a RBI groundout to extend the lead to 4-2.
USA increased its advantage with two runs in the fifth inning. The leadoff batter was hit by a pitch and moved to second on an infield single. After a pitching change, the runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. The Jaguars scored the first run of the inning on a sacrifice fly and benefited from a Golden Eagle error to score a second run.
No. 23 South Alabama closed out the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, the Jaguars used a single and a double to place a pair of runners in scoring position. The home team loaded the bases with a walk and used a single to score the first run of the inning. After a pitching change, the Golden Eagles retired the lead runner on a fielder's choice. With two outs, South Alabama benefited from a RBI walk. The Jaguars singled to right center field, scoring two runs and ending the game in run-rule fashion.
