Borden's Grand Slam Sets Program Record, Leads Southern Miss to Series Win Versus Marshall

Sunday, March 24

Southern Miss Softball Complex

10 a.m.

Southern Miss

14-16, 0

Marshall

17-15, 0

Marshall

Southern Miss

Borden's Grand Slam Sets Program Record, Leads Southern Miss to Series Win Versus Marshall

3/24/2024 1:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Graduate student catcher Hannah Borden launched a grand slam on the first pitch of her at-bat in the second inning, setting the all-time program record for most career home runs and making the difference in an 8-5 win versus Marshall Sunday at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

With the victory, Southern Miss (14-16, 3-3 Sun Belt) earned its first home conference series win in the Sun Belt and the first series win against Marshall since 2010.

Having tied Megan Hill's record of 41 home runs Saturday against the Thundering Herd, Borden moved atop the leaderboards with her tenth home run shot of the season and in dramatic fashion on a grand slam.

"It feels really good and it was really special knowing it was a home game and that it was a grand slam," Borden said. "We really needed to win this series. We didn't have the best turnout last weekend against ULM and this series was really important, so it felt good to get my team on top."

After falling to a four-game skid, Southern Miss bounced back with consecutive wins against Marshall, a team that swept the Golden Eagles last season.

"After getting swept by them last year, we were able to flip a switch, and I am really proud of that. I am proud of our fight and our bounce back, especially after losing Friday and not giving up a big inning. We just tried to focus on some process goals that we have and we did a pretty good job of accomplishing some of those yesterday and then today, the mindset was to do even more," head coach Natalie Poole said.

Southern Miss fought back again from a deficit, falling down 2-0 early after two RBI singles from Marshall in the first and second innings.

Southern Miss responded as Kinsley Gordon doubled through left field to send Maria Smith home. After Weeks loaded the bases reaching first on a fielder's choice, Borden hit the team's first grand slam of the season.

Coming up to bat Bbehind the leadoff hitter, designated player Jana Lee said she knew the result from the moment Borden connected.

"Batting behind her, off the bat, I knew it was gone," Lee said. "It was just amazing to see and be a part of her journey.

Marshall responded with two runs on a Southern Miss error and then narrowed the lead to just one on a passed ball in the fourth.

As Lee worked in the circle, the junior designated player found her own home run with a three-run homer to give Southern Miss an 8-5 advantage that the team held onto.

Lee retired the side in order in the seventh on the way to her second win of the season and securing the series win for Southern Miss. Lee also led the team with two hits, while Borden's four RBI and two walks paced the team.

Up Next

Southern Miss starts a road trip with a doubleheader at UAB next Tuesday.

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