Softball Splits First Day of Opening Day Classic

Saturday, February 17

Southern Miss Softball Complex

1:00 p.m.

Southern Miss

2-4

Missouri State

2-4

Missouri State

Southern Miss

Softball Splits First Day of Opening Day Classic

2/17/2024 8:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Softball (3-4, 0-0 SBC) started the Opening Day Classic with a loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Missouri State (2-5, 0-0 MVC) but bounced back for a dominant 9-2 win in the second game, fueled by a season-high 11 hits and a complete game from junior Jana Lee.

Game One: Missouri State 3-Southern Miss 2

The Golden Eagles found themselves in another tight contest to begin the weekend, locked even through four innings, but could not muster a comeback after the Bears' two-run fifth inning.

Southern Miss fielded three hits to Missouri State's six hits, which gave the Bears a crucial advantage in the defensive battle.

Graduate student catcher Hannah Borden produced two of the team's hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning that put the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard. The shot was her first home run of the season, and the 33rd of her career, tying her with Kenya Peters for the second-most home runs in program history.

Starting pitcher Loganne Stepp worked through four innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs and two walks with four strikeouts.

Holly Craft, who came in relief for Stepp in the fifth inning, inherited two runners on base. The Bears capitalized with an RBI single, which turned into two runs after a throwing error.

Southern Miss responded in the bottom of the sixth with a double from Kinsley Gordon. Gordon advanced to third, and was sent home on a sacrifice fly by Lee, narrowing the score down to one.

After walking one hitter, Craft retired the side, giving the Golden Eagles a final opportunity. Ryanna Valdivia and Kayla Agner walked, but were stranded on base with a final line out to end the game.

Stepp earned the loss, while Missouri State's Mackenzie Chacon added a win and Gracie Johnston earned a save for her two shutout innings.

Game Two: Southern Miss 9-Missouri State 2

Southern Miss flipped a switch in the second game, firing a season-high 11 hits and 8 RBI to win 9-2-the highest-scoring outing for the program since a 9-3 win versus Jackson State on March 7, 2023.

Eight Golden Eagles produced a hit, with Lauren Lindsey, Mikaila Fox and Nealy McManus each notching two. Both of McManus' hits were doubles- the first of her career.

Lee registered the tenth complete game of her career and improved to 2-0 on the season, yielding just three hits, two earned runs and four walks with four strikeouts on 103 total pitches. The junior designated player also hit an RBI single.

After trailing by two early, the Golden Eagles burst the game open with six runs and seven hits in the third inning, starting with a leadoff single from Fox. After a sac bunt by Caroline Worrell, McManus hit an RBI double, followed by a single from Kinsley Gordon at the top of the order. McManus and Gordon scored after Borden's single and a throwing error at third base.

Natalie Taylor hit an RBI single, and Valdivia advanced her to second with another single. Fox then earned her second hit of the inning on an RBI double to put Southern Miss up 6-2.

The Golden Eagles continued to get on base in the following inning after the Bears made a pitching change. McManus walked, and following a single from Borden, Lauren Lindsey hit an RBI single for another run. Taylor walked to lead the following inning, and Valdivia drew a walk. McManus capitalized, hitting her second double for two RBI, and giving Southern Miss its final score of 9-2.

After two putouts, Lee wrapped up the game in the seventh with a final strikeout.

Up Next:

Southern Miss will finish the Opening Day Classic with a final match against Missouri State at 2 p.m. tomorrow. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Will Kollmeyer on the call.

Season tickets are available for the 2024 season -- Fans can purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.

For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).