Softball Drops Series Opener Versus Troy 2-1

Thursday, March 28

Troy, Ala. / Troy Softball Complex

6 p.m.

Southern Miss

14-17, 3-4

Troy

25-11, 5-2

Southern Miss

Troy

Softball Drops Series Opener Versus Troy 2-1

3/28/2024 10:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TROY, Ala.-After being locked at 1-1 through regulation, Southern Miss Softball (14-17, 3-4 Sun Belt) fell to a solo home run by Troy (25-12, 5-2 Sun Belt) Thursday night at the Troy Softball Complex.

While the Golden Eagles saw an opportunity at the top of the eighth after Jana Lee walked and Natalie Taylor singled, Troy's Olivia Cato ended the frame with a strikeout, setting up Troy's walk-off solo home run from Taylor McKinney.

Cato closed the game out for the Trojans in relief for starter Libby Baker, only allowing one hit through three innings. Cato earned her third win of the season, while Lee received the loss.

Southern Miss struck first in the game with a run in the third inning coming from Lee's RBI groundout to send second baseman Maddie Weeks home. Earlier in the frame, Weeks reached the bases with her first career hit on a single down the left field line.

Golden Eagles starting pitcher Loganne Stepp led the team through three shutout innings, tying a career-high four strikeouts. The Chandler, Ariz. native allowed just two hits, one run and two walks with 52 pitches in her outing Thursday night.

Troy got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run from Cassidy Boltz. Lee closed the inning out for Southern Miss, leaving a runner stranded.

Shelby Allen stole her fifth base of the season after singling through the right side, but was stranded as Cato entered the game and threw her first strikeout.

Troy got two runners on base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but graduate student catcher Hannah Borden ended the frame, catching a pop up behind the plate for the final out.

Cato retired the side in order in the seventh. Southern Miss followed with the same, including a quick throw from centerfield by Kinsley Gordon to Maria Smith, who tagged Troy's Jade Sinness out at second base.

After preventing any runs in the eighth, Troy earned its 25th win of the season to take the first game of the series.

Up Next:

Southern Miss will face Troy in the second game of the series at the Troy Softball Complex tomorrow at 6 p.m.

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