Softball Drops Two Matches In Opening Day of River City Leadoff

Friday, February 9

Jacksonville, Fla. / UNF Softball Complex

12:30 p.m.

Southern Miss

0-1

Fordham

1-0

Fordham

Southern Mississippi

Softball Drops Two Matches In Opening Day of River City Leadoff

2/9/2024 10:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Despite competing closely in two competitive matches, including the longest match for the program since 2017, the Golden Eagles fell short with two losses on the first day of the River City Leadoff at the UNF Softball Complex.

Southern Miss started the day trailing early against Fordham, and while keeping the Rams scoreless the final five innings, the Golden Eagles could not overcome the three-run deficit imposed in the second inning.

The Golden Eagles looked to rebound against North Florida, and claimed the lead multiple times late into the game, including in extra innings. However, the Ospreys remained in the fight and claimed victory with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Game One:

While the Golden Eagles minimized Fordham's offense throughout the opening game, the Rams capitalized with a three-run hit in the second inning to give them the advantage they needed to take the match 3-1.

Fordham's Neleh Nogay hit a three-RBI triple in the top of the second inning to put the Rams on the scoreboard first. While the Golden Eagles responded in the third inning with an RBI double by Jana Lee, Fordham held Southern Miss scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Southern Miss got active at the plate later in the game, matching Fordham's total of four hits, but left a total of seven runners on base as they attempted to narrow the score.

Junior Holly Craft received the loss in her debut for Southern Miss. The Jones College product pitched four innings with one strikeout and two hits, three runs and three errors allowed.

Lee made her first appearance of the season in relief of Craft, pitching for three innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts. She also drew two walks at bat.

Nealy McManus gave the team its first hit of the season on a single in the second inning. Maria Smith earned one hit in the third, which she later scored from after stealing second and being driven home by Lee's double. Graduate student Mikaila Fox hit the team's other single and also stole second in the fourth.

Game Two:

Southern Miss versus North Florida developed into a defensive battle from the start, culminating in a ten-inning affair that lasted three hours and ten minutes.

The game was the Golden Eagles' longest match since losing a 14-inning match against Louisiana Tech 4-2 on March 18, 2017. Only eleven games in program history have lasted longer than ten innings.

Junior pitcher Loganne Stepp set the tone for the Golden Eagles throughout the match, leading the team through five scoreless innings in her debut for the program. Stepp allowed a run in the sixth inning, but finished the night with only two hits, one run and four walks allowed with three strikeouts.

While the Ospreys' late score threatened to end the game, Ryanna Valdivia came into the match as a pinch hitter and delivered with a single. After a sacrifice bunt from Smith, Borden hit an RBI single to even the game.

Freshman pitcher BrookLynn White stepped into the circle for the first time in relief of Stepp, and sent the game into extra innings with a strikeout. White worked through another scoreless inning, which allowed Southern Miss to take the advantage at 2-1 as Smith hit an RBI double.

However, the Ospreys answered with an RBI triple to tie the game for a tenth inning. The Golden Eagles kept their momentum into the frame, as Borden stole third, leading to an RBI double from Natalie Taylor that gave the team a 3-2 lead.

North Florida's Abi Annett spoiled Southern Miss' comeback, though, as she hit a two-RBI home run to win 4-3.

White received the loss in the match, finishing with three strikeouts in three innings pitched with three hits and three runs allowed.

Southern Miss saw production from across the lineup in the fight, as all seven hits came from different batters.

Up Next:

Southern Miss continues play in the River City Leadoff tomorrow, moving to the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex for a pair of early matches. The Golden Eagles will rematch against Fordham at 10 a.m. CT before facing Jacksonville at 12:30 p.m. CT.

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