Southern Miss Falls to Saint Francis and #6 Alabama on Day One of the Easton Crimson Classic

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Southern Miss softball team (9-7) dropped their first game of the Easton Crimson Classic to Saint Francis (8-8) by a final score of 1-0 on Friday and their second game to #6 Alabama (18-0), by a score of 3-2.

Southern Miss junior pitcher Abby Trahan got the start in the circle against Saint Francis and fared well against her old squad.

Trahan transferred to Southern Miss from Saint Francis after the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Trahan tossed a complete game, allowed just two hits, one run (earned), issued two walks and struck out eight.

Unfortunately, Saint Francis' run scored in the top of the first inning after Jordan Frank was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, proved to be enough to propel the Red Flash to a 1-0 victory.

The Golden Eagles returned to Rhoads Stadium after a break to face #6 Alabama in the Friday nightcap.

Freshman pitcher Kaylan Ladner earned the start for the Golden Eagles in the circle and more than rose to the occasion against one of the most storied programs in college softball.

The young right-hander kept the Alabama batters off balance for most of the night and gave Southern Miss a solid opportunity to take down the Tide.

Ladner pitched a total of four innings, scattered three hits, allowed two runs (both earned), issued three walks and struck out one.

The Golden Eagles took an early, 1-0 lead against the Tide in the top of the first inning after Sarah Van Schaik grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Madison Rayner to score from third base.

Alabama benefited from a big time offensive performance from sophomore outfielder Kaylee Tow who produced two of the Tide's three runs in the contest.

Tow's RBI triple down the left field line in the bottom of the first inning tied the game 1-1.

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tow sent a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Tide on top, 2-1.

Bailey Hemphill produced Alabama's third and final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after sending a RBI double down the left field line.

Southern Miss surged back in the bottom of the sixth inning when Van Schaik blasted a double off of the wall in left center field, scoring Nelson.

Alabama managed to hold onto their one run lead in the final frames and in turn, collected a 3-2 victory.

Southern Miss will have no time to dwell on the narrow loss, as they will get another opportunity against Alabama at 4:00 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, March 2 in day two of the Easton Crimson Classic. After taking on the Tide, the Golden Eagles will face the Spartans of Michigan State at 6:00 p.m. (CT).

Fans can follow the Golden Eagles in the Easton Crimson Classic via live updates through the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB) or via the SEC Network+ live stream or SIDEARM Sports live stats links located on the home page southernmiss.com.

Southern Miss Falls to Saint Francis and #6 Alabama on Day One of the Easton Crimson Classic

Next Event

Team Stats

Chase Nelson

Lacey Sumerlin

Sarah Van Schaik

Kaitlyn Passeau

Players Mentioned

Kaylan Ladner

Madison Rayner

Abby Trahan

Sarah Van Schaik

Players Mentioned

Kaylan Ladner

Madison Rayner

Abby Trahan

Sarah Van Schaik