Southern Miss Softball Kicks Off the Brian Levin Era With an 8-0 Victory Over Mississippi Valley State

Friday, February 7

Hattiesburg, Miss.

6:30 PM

Southern Miss

1-0

Mississippi Valley State

1-1

Mississippi Valley

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Softball Kicks Off the Brian Levin Era With an 8-0 Victory Over Mississippi Valley State

2/7/2020 11:25:00 PM | Softball

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After defeating the Devilettes on Friday night, the Golden Eagles are now 12-6 in home openers.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss softball team opened its 2020 season on Friday night at the Southern Miss Softball Complex, kicking off the Brian Levin era with an 8-0 win over in-state SWAC opponent Mississippi Valley State.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kaylan Ladner got the start in circle for the Golden Eagles and delivered. Ladner started the game by retiring Mississippi Valley State in order in the top of the first inning and then struck out the side in the top of the second inning. The same success continued for the Kiln, Miss. native over the next four frames as she limited the Devilettes to just three hits, struck out six and did not issue any walks en route to earning her first win of the 2020 season.

In what was her first collegiate at-bat, Southern Miss freshman catcher Hannah Borden registered an RBI double to right field in the bottom of the first inning, scoring junior first baseman Karley Nichols.

Southern Miss redshirt junior outfielder Amber Pack immediately followed Borden's RBI double with an RBI single to center field, which Borden scored on, making the score 2-0 in favor of the Golden Eagles.

In the bottom of the third inning, Southern Miss senior shortstop Lacey Sumerlin and Borden scored on a Mississippi Valley State error and wild pitch respectively, tacking on two more runs for the Golden Eagles.

Leading 4-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Southern Miss sophomore left fielder Madison Rayner hammered a triple to right field and then scored on a Mississippi Valley State throwing error.

Sparks flew in the bottom of the fifth inning when Borden blasted a solo home run well beyond the left field deck, adding another run to the scoreboard for Southern Miss and another extra-base hit to her total for the night.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Golden Eagles tallied their final two runs of the game, courtesy of RBI extra-base knocks from Rayner and Nichols. Rayner tattooed a ball down the right field line that allowed Caroline Casey to score, collecting her second triple of the game and Nichols followed with a double to left center that ended the game due to the mercy rule. Rayner scored the Golden Eagles eighth and final run of the game on Nichols' double.

Borden on Southern Miss' Opening Day win
"I am super pumped for this season and I am excited to see what our hitters are going to do going forward! Coach Levin has prepared us mentally and physically, and I know that this team is capable of a lot."

Game Notes

After defeating Mississippi Valley State on Friday night, the Southern Miss softball program now holds a 12-6 record in home openers.
Hannah Borden's RBI double in the first inning marked the first hit of her Southern Miss career.
Borden notched the first home run of her Southern Miss career after belting a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Madison Rayner registered two triples in a single game for the first time in her Southern Miss career.
Kaylan Ladner picked up her first win of the season and also tossed the second shutout of her Southern Miss career.

Southern Miss will be back in action on Saturday, February 8 when they take on Saint Louis at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

Promotions
As part of Go Gold Weekend, FREE Gold Out t-shirts will be given away at Saturday's game while supplies last. In addition, fans are also encouraged to wear gold to the game.

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.

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).