Southern Miss Softball Falls to UTSA, 4-2 in Opening Round of C-USA Tournament

Wednesday, May 8

Birmingham, Ala.

12:00 PM

Southern Miss

21-30, 9-16

UTSA

30-22, 13-12

UTSA

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Softball Falls to UTSA, 4-2 in Opening Round of C-USA Tournament

5/8/2019 8:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

The Golden Eagles concluded the season with an overall record of 30-22 and a record of 13-11 in C-USA play.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (30-22, 13-11 C-USA) were defeated by the UTSA Roadrunners (21-30, 8-16) by a final score of 4-2 in the opening round of the C-USA Softball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala.

Southern Miss started the game in the best way possible with leadoff hitter Destini Brown hammering a solo home run well beyond the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning.

Southern Miss tacked on its second run of the game in the bottom of the third inning after Lacey Sumerlin deposited a ball into no man's land in shallow right field that was scored an RBI double. Brown scored from third base on the play.

Southern Miss maintained its 2-0 lead until the top of the fifth inning when UTSA broke through, tying the game 2-2. The Roadrunners tied the game via a Madison Washington two-run single that scored Elexus Trenkle and Celeste Loughman.

UTSA took the lead in the top of the seventh inning on a Bailee Baldwin RBI double to center field that scored Loughman. Two at-bats later, Victoria Villarreal sent an RBI single to left field and Baldwin scored to make the score 4-2 in favor of UTSA.

UTSA starting pitcher Clarissa Hernandez (10-10) earned the win after tossing a complete game in which she limited Southern Miss to two runs. Southern Miss starter Abby Trahan (14-12) suffered the loss. The right-hander logged a total of 6.1 innings pitched in the contest. Trahan allowed eight hits, three runs (all earned), issued two walks and struck out six.

Southern Miss freshman right-handed pitcher Makenna Pierce entered the game in relief of Trahan with one out in the top of the seventh inning. In two-thirds of an inning pitched, Pierce surrendered two hits, allowed one run (earned), and did not issue any free passes.

Despite Wednesday's tough season-ending loss, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles will have nothing to hang their heads about as they posted one of the best seasons that the program has seen in over a decade.

Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on the 2019 season
"Wow, what a ride! The 2019 season has been a season of extreme growth for Southern Miss softball. From the first pitch of opening weekend to the last pitch at the C-USA Tournament, we were growing. It has been such a neat process to witness. Papp, Chase and Sarah have been great leaders for us, and it is tough to see them leave. However, with such a core group of returnees, the future is bright for Southern Miss softball."

2019 season notes

Southern Miss recorded a 30-win season and qualified for the C-USA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
Junior right-handed pitcher Abby Trahan became the first Southern Miss pitcher to earn C-USA Pitcher of the Year honors since Felicia Gonzalez took home the award in 2001.
Trahan, junior shortstop Lacey Sumerlin and sophomore center fielder Destini Brown were all tabbed C-USA All-Conference First Team selections.
Sophomore right fielder Karley Nichols was named to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team.
Senior catcher Samantha Papp and senior second baseman Chase Nelson were named to the C-USA All-Academic Team.
Brown and senior first baseman Sarah Van Schaik were selected to the Easton Crimson Classic All-Tournament Team (tournament hosted by the University of Alabama).
Sumerlin landed a spot on the Getterman Classic All-Tournament Team (tournament hosted by Baylor University).
Papp was named to the C-USA Preseason All-Conference Team.

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).