Softball Falls to #21 Mississippi State, 7-2

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss softball team (14-8) fell to #21 Mississippi State (25-3) by a final score of 7-2 on Wednesday night at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the first inning, Southern Miss senior shortstop Lacey Sumerlin delivered an RBI double to left field that drove in junior third baseman Alyssa "Tata" Davis, cutting the scoring deficit in half.

Sumerlin's double brought the Golden Eagles within one run of tying the game, marking the narrowest scoring deficit of the night.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Makenna Pierce got the nod in the circle for the Golden Eagles. Pierce pitched 3.2 innings in which she allowed five hits, four runs (all earned), issued four walks, and struck out two.

In the top of the fourth inning, Pierce was lifted for fellow sophomore right-handed pitcher Kaylan Ladner. Ladner finished the game in the circle for the Golden Eagles and allowed six hits, three runs (all earned), and tallied four strikeouts over the span of 3.2 innings pitched. She did not issue any walks.

Mississippi State reliever Grace Fagan (7-2) earned the win and Pierce (5-1) took the loss.

Game Notes

Sumerlin led the Golden Eagles' offense, going one-for-three with a double and an RBI.
Sumerlin's double in the bottom of the first inning marked her 10^th of the season, which currently ranks as a team best.
Sumerlin and junior first baseman Karley Nichols each recorded a hit.
Sumerlin and junior infielder Jamie Powell collected an RBI each.
Davis and freshman catcher Hannah Borden scored one run each.
Davis and Borden also drew one walk each.
Sophomore left fielder Madison Rayner drew a pair of walks, marking the fourth time this season that she has drawn multiple walks in game.
Rayner extended her on base-streak to 16 games, currently marking the longest on-base streak on the Golden Eagles' squad.

Scoring Summary
T1 | Carter Spexarth drew a bases-loaded walk, and Chloe Malau'ulu scored (Mississippi State – 1, Southern Miss – 0).
T1 | Madisyn Kennedy was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded which allowed Mia Davidson to cross the plate (Mississippi State – 2, Southern Miss – 0).
B1 | Sumerlin doubled to left field, plating Davis (Mississippi State – 2, Southern Miss – 1).
T4 | Mi. Davidson homered to right center. Brylie St. Clair also scored on Davidson's home run (Mississippi State – 4, Southern Miss – 1).
T4 | Candace Denis doubled down the right field line, scoring Fa Leilua (Mississippi State – 5, Southern Miss – 1).
T5 | Mi. Davidson homered to center field. St. Clair was also on base when Davidson homered (Mississippi State – 7, Southern Miss – 1).
B7 | Powell lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Borden to score (Mississippi State – 7, Southern Miss – 2).

Next Game
The Golden Eagles will return to action on Friday (March 13) when they open C-USA play against FAU at 5:00 p.m.

The Golden Eagles and the Owls will play a three-game series at the FAU Softball Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. Game two of the series will be played at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and game three will be played at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Game Info
Southern Miss' series against FAU will be live streamed on C-USA TV and SIDEARM Sports live stats will also be provided. At the end of each day, a full recap will be posted to SouthernMiss.com along with final stats.

*All game times are listed in Central Time (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).

Softball Falls to #21 Mississippi State, 7-2

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Team Stats

Karley Nichols

Lacey Sumerlin

Tata Davis

Hannah Borden

Players Mentioned

Hannah Borden

Kaylan Ladner

Karley Nichols

Makenna Pierce

Jamie Powell

Madison Rayner

Lacey Sumerlin

Players Mentioned

Hannah Borden

Kaylan Ladner

Karley Nichols

Makenna Pierce

Jamie Powell

Madison Rayner

Lacey Sumerlin