Southern Miss Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader Against FIU

MIAMI, Fla. – The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (29-18, 12-8 C-USA) split Saturday's doubleheader against FIU (24-23, 5-14 C-USA) in Miami. The Golden Eagles fell to the Panthers, 6-3 in game one and then bounced back to capture game two by a final score of 4-2.

Southern Miss took an early lead in game one after Destini Brown scored on an FIU error in the top of the first inning, putting the Golden Eagles on top, 1-0.

Unfortunately, Southern Miss' lead would be short lived as FIU rallied for five runs in the bottom of the first inning via a Southern Miss error, a two-run single by Madison Lewis and a two-run double by Montana Szara.

Leading 5-1 entering the bottom of the second inning, FIU tacked on an additional insurance run after Britanny Phillips produced an RBI infield single.

In the bottom of the third inning, Destini Brown smacked a solo home run well over the left field wall, adding the second run of the game to the scoreboard for the Golden Eagles.

Samantha Papp cut the scoring deficit in half in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI double to right field that allowed Caroline Casey to score.

In addition to Brown's home run and Papp's RBI double, the relief pitching of junior right-hander Bailie Springfield also proved to be a bright spot for the Golden Eagles in game one.

Springfield entered the game in the bottom of the second inning in relief of starter Abby Trahan and went on to toss 4.1 scoreless innings. Springfield allowed just two hits in the contest, struck out one and did not issue a single walk.

Trahan (14-10) suffered the loss for Southern Miss in the contest while FIU starter Allison Muraskin (9-12) picked up the win.

Game two proved to be a much different story for the Golden Eagles as they managed to hang four runs on the scoreboard before the Panthers even scored.

Sarah Van Schaik got things going for the Golden Eagles by blasting an RBI double to right field in the top of the first inning, scoring Chase Nelson.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the third inning when Brown scored on a groundout by Nelson.

Lacey Sumerlin gave Southern Miss' offense a boost in the top of the sixth inning after smashing a solo home run.

Brown produced the final run of the night for the Golden Eagles in the top of the seventh inning by belting an RBI double to left center field that allowed Karley Nichols to cross the plate.

Holding a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Southern Miss looked to be well on its way to a shutout victory but FIU refused to go away quietly.

Freshman right-hander Makenna Pierce who was given the nod as the Golden Eagles' game two starter, held the Panthers offense in check for the majority of the game. Pierce cruised through the first six innings, maintaining a no-hitter until the bottom of the seventh inning.

After finding absolutely no success against Pierce through the first six frames, FIU managed to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning after Alexi Johns and Lewis drew walks and Natalie Orcutt reached on a bunt single.

Pierce was then pulled from the circle, giving way to fellow freshman right-hander Kaylan Ladner. After Ladner issued walks to Phillips and Whitehead, Pierce reentered the game and finished things off.

In 7.0 innings pitched in the game, the Daphne, Ala. native surrendered just one hit, allowed two runs (both earned), issued two walks and struck out two en route to notching her fourth win of the season.

Pierce on her night in the circle and her mentality entering the game
"I felt really good after this week's bullpens and I was looking forward to having the opportunity to pitch this weekend! My mentality going into the game was to just get ahead, hit my spots and let our defense work. The defense had my back and we were able to come out with a big win!"

Game notes

After registering her eighth home run of the season in game one of Southern Miss' doubleheader against FIU, Destini Brown now leads the Golden Eagles in the home runs category for the 2019 season.
After collecting two doubles on Saturday, Sarah Van Schaik has now tallied a total of 17 doubles this season. Van Schaik's 17 doubles are currently a C-USA best.
Lacey Sumerlin now leads the Golden Eagles with 36 RBIs on the season. Sumerlin collected her 36^th RBI after pasting a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning of game two.
Game two of Saturday's doubleheader marked the longest outing of Makenna Pierce's collegiate career. Pierce logged seven innings in the contest.

Southern Miss and FIU will meet on Sunday, April 28 in what will be a series-deciding finale. The first pitch from the FIU Softball Stadium is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (CT).

For all of the latest Southern Miss softball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB), Instagram account (@southernmisssb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Softball).

Southern Miss Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader Against FIU

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Team Stats

Destini Brown

Chase Nelson

Lacey Sumerlin

Sarah Van Schaik

Players Mentioned

Destini Brown

Caroline Casey

Kaylan Ladner

Chase Nelson

Karley Nichols

Samantha Papp

Makenna Pierce

Bailie Springfield

Lacey Sumerlin

Abby Trahan

Sarah Van Schaik

Players Mentioned

Destini Brown

Caroline Casey

Kaylan Ladner

Chase Nelson

Karley Nichols

Samantha Papp

Makenna Pierce

Bailie Springfield

Lacey Sumerlin

Abby Trahan

Sarah Van Schaik