Softball Falls 2-1 to No. 24 Texas State Saturday

Saturday, April 27

Southern Miss Softball Complex

2 p.m.

Southern Miss

21-25, 0

Texas State

38-12, 0

Texas State

Southern Miss

Softball Falls 2-1 to No. 24 Texas State Saturday

4/27/2024 5:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Southern Miss Softball (21-25, 9-11 Sun Belt) competed head-to-head with No. 24 Texas State Saturday, but the Bobcats bounced back from a loss in the series opener, outlasting the Golden Eagles 2-1.

Despite the loss, Southern Miss clinched a postseason berth in the Sun Belt Tournament for the second straight season with App State's 6-0 loss to Marshall. Following its first conference tournament appearance last season since 2019, the Golden Eagles have secured consecutive conference tournament appearances for the first time since 2012-2013.

Southern Miss met Texas State's pace in Saturday's match, as both teams recorded nine hits apiece. While both teams also left a total of nine runners on base, Texas State found an advantage with an RBI single in the sixth inning to snap Southern Miss' seven-game home winning streak, which was tied for the longest winning streak at home in head coach Natalie Poole's tenure.

While Jana Lee faced a jam to start the game, the junior pitcher and designated player escaped the inning with no runs allowed. Lee continued, throwing four shutout innings as Texas State's Madison Azua also kept the game scoreless.

Texas State got on the board first in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Sara Vanderford, finding the team's first lead of the weekend.

Southern Miss answered with consecutive singles from Shelby Allen and Hannah Borden to lead off the bottom of the fifth, bringing up Lee. Lee doubled to right field, sending Allen home while Durham was tagged out at home, keeping the match locked even.

Loganne Stepp came in relief for Jana Lee in the top of the sixth, finding two early strikeouts. However, the Bobcats got two runners on with consecutive walks and Hannah Earls secured Texas State's lead with an RBI single.

Stepp retired the side in order, increasing her total to four strikeouts and giving Southern Miss a chance to make a comeback.

Allen hit another leadoff single, followed by a walk by Borden to give the Golden Eagles momentum. However, Jessica Mullins, who relieved Azua in the fifth, ended the match with three straight strikeouts on the way to her 26th victory of the season.

Allen led the team with two hits, as seven other batters in the order recorded one hit. Borden drew a team-high two walks in the match. The graduate student catcher's single in the fifth tied Megan Hill for 205 career hits, which ranks as the second most in program history.

Up Next

Southern Miss faces No. 24 Texas State in a rubber match Sunday at noon. The match will be the Golden Eagles' final game this season at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. Southern Miss will celebrate its five seniors on Senior Day: Hannah Borden, Maria Smith, Caroline Worrell, KK Agner and Lauren Lindsey.

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