Southern Miss Softball Falls to FIU, 8-6 in Series Finale on Sunday in Miami

Sunday, April 28

Miami, FL

11:00 AM

Southern Miss

29-19, 12-9

FIU

25-23, 6-14

Southern Miss

FIU

Southern Miss Softball Falls to FIU, 8-6 in Series Finale on Sunday in Miami

4/28/2019 4:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

The Golden Eagles are now 29-19 on the season and 12-9 in C-USA play.

MIAMI, Fla. – The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (29-19, 12-9 C-USA) fell to the FIU Panthers (25-23, 6-14 C-USA) by a final score of 8-6 in Sunday afternoon's series finale at the FIU Softball Stadium in Miami.

Southern Miss started the game off well, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Lacey Sumerlin produced the first run of the game for the Golden Eagles after driving an RBI double to right center field to score Destini Brown. Sumerlin currently leads Southern Miss with a total of 37 RBIs on the season.

After Sumerlin's double, Tata Davis ripped an RBI single down the right field line that allowed Sumerlin to cross the plate, putting the Golden Eagles on top, 2-0.

FIU answered immediately in the bottom of the first inning by scoring three runs via a Natalie Orcutt RBI single, a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and a Deven Kennedy RBI single.

With two outs in the top of the second inning, Karley Nichols and Brown helped spark a Southern Miss rally by reaching base on back-to-back singles. Nichols, the nine-hole hitter for the Golden Eagles singled to left field and Brown followed with a single to second base.

Both Nichols and Brown came around to score later in the inning after an error was committed by FIU on a ball that was put in play in the infield by Chase Nelson.

FIU regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning, going up 6-4 on an RBI single by Kennedy and a Southern Miss error that allowed the Panthers to score two runs.

Lewis who proved to be one of the biggest contributors to the Panthers' offense over the weekend, deposited a two-run single into left field in the bottom of the fifth inning, extending FIU's lead to 8-4.

Southern Miss rallied for two runs late in the game but the rally fell short. Sarah Van Schaik lifted a sacrifice fly to right field in the top of the sixth inning that allowed Brown to score and Brown roped an RBI double to left center in the top of the seventh inning, scoring Bre Blankenship.

Southern Miss relief pitcher Makenna Pierce (4-2) suffered the loss in the circle while FIU starter Megan Kugelmann (8-5) earned the win. FIU reliever Allison Muraskin was credited with her third save of the season.

Game notes

Southern Miss true freshman catcher Bre Blankenship earned the first start of her collegiate career in the series finale against FIU on Sunday. The New Port Richey, Fla. native started Sunday's game as the Golden Eagles' designated player.
Southern Miss junior shortstop Lacey Sumerlin collected her 37^th RBI of the season in Sunday's contest. Sumerlin's 37 RBIs are currently a team best for the 2019 season.
Sophomore right fielder Karley Nichols paced the Golden Eagles in the hits column on Sunday. Nichols notched a total of three hits in the contest.
Sophomore center fielder Destini Brown accounted for half of Southern Miss' runs against FIU on Sunday. Brown scored three of the six runs posted by the Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss will return to action next weekend when they host Louisiana Tech (39-13, 17-4 C-USA) in a three-game C-USA series at the Southern Miss Softball Complex in Hattiesburg in what will be the final week of regular season play.

Game promotions
Southern Miss' doubleheader against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, May 4 will feature the Student Appreciation & Military and First Responders Weekend game promotions.

Southern Miss will hold its annual Senior Day on Sunday, May 5. The Golden Eagles will honor seniors Chase Nelson, Sarah Van Schaik and Samantha Papp for all of their contributions to the Southern Miss softball program.

Ticket info
Fans can purchase tickets to all home Southern Miss softball games by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office Monday-Friday from the hours of 8:00 a.m. (CT) - 5:00 p.m. (CT), by calling (800) 844-TICK (8425), online at SouthernMissTickets.com, or at the main gate of the Southern Miss Softball Complex on game day one hour prior to the first pitch.

The Southern Miss ticket office is now proud to offer the Family 4 Pack ticket package to fans which includes: four general admission tickets and a $10 concession stand voucher for only $25!

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).