University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, February 15
Ruston, La. / Dr. Billy Bundrick Field
11 a.m.
Southern Miss
2-5
4
vs
12
Arkansas
8-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Arkansas | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 0 |
Softball Drops Opening Contest at LA Tech Classic Against No. 13 Arkansas
2/15/2025 2:25:00 PM | Softball
RUSTON, La.-Southern Miss Softball (2-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) fell 12-4 to No. 13 Arkansas (8-0, 0-0 SEC) Saturday morning in the Golden Eagles' first game at the Louisiana Tech Classic in Ruston, La.
For the third consecutive game, the Razorbacks won in a run-rule decision, ending the match after six innings. The Golden Eagles' four runs were the most Arkansas has allowed in a game this season, previously outscoring opponents 60-7 in their first seven games.
Jana Lee received the loss for Southern Miss, while Lexi King earned the win for Arkansas. Freshman pitcher Olivia Christian registered a career-high five strikeouts with five hits and four runs allowed through three innings pitched in relief.Â
Senior second baseman Maddie Weeks, the all-time RBI leader at Co-Lin, also recorded her first career home run at Southern Miss in the match.
Southern Miss initially held an early 1-0 advantage after scoring at the top of the first. After Natalie Taylor singled to first base, she stole second, bringing freshman Hannah Christian home.
However, Arkansas followed with a five-run first inning in response. After two Razorbacks got on base with back-to-back singles, Bri Ellis launched a three-run shot to put Arkansas ahead. Shortly following, Atalya Rijo scored two more runners with a 2RBI double.Â
Arkansas tallied two more runs in the second and third innings, scoring on two home runs, including a second round-tripper from Ellis.Â
Southern Miss chipped into Arkansas' lead in the fourth inning with three runs, the most scored against the Razorbacks this season. Despite two early strikeouts, Ryanna Valdivia drew a walk, bringing Weeks up to the plate, who launched the first pitch over the centerfield wall for a two-run home run. Mikaila Fox continued the team's momentum with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Shortstop Claire Ginder then hit an RBI single to send Fox home.
Lee earned the team's fifth and final hit of the game, as she delivered her first double of the season. Lee knocked 15 doubles for the Golden Eagles last season, which ranked fourth in the Sun Belt.
After Arkansas retired the side in order in the sixth, the Razorbacks tallied three runs to close out the game 12-4, ending the match on a run scored on a Southern Miss fielding error.
Freshman left-hand pitcher Jolie Hays also made her collegiate debut in the circle for Southern Miss, throwing 15 pitches in the final frame.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will rematch against Arkansas Sunday at 10 a.m., before ending their time in Ruston with a matchup versus Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m. Sunday's contest against the Bulldogs will be available to watch on ESPN+.
For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
Â
For the third consecutive game, the Razorbacks won in a run-rule decision, ending the match after six innings. The Golden Eagles' four runs were the most Arkansas has allowed in a game this season, previously outscoring opponents 60-7 in their first seven games.
Jana Lee received the loss for Southern Miss, while Lexi King earned the win for Arkansas. Freshman pitcher Olivia Christian registered a career-high five strikeouts with five hits and four runs allowed through three innings pitched in relief.Â
Senior second baseman Maddie Weeks, the all-time RBI leader at Co-Lin, also recorded her first career home run at Southern Miss in the match.
Southern Miss initially held an early 1-0 advantage after scoring at the top of the first. After Natalie Taylor singled to first base, she stole second, bringing freshman Hannah Christian home.
However, Arkansas followed with a five-run first inning in response. After two Razorbacks got on base with back-to-back singles, Bri Ellis launched a three-run shot to put Arkansas ahead. Shortly following, Atalya Rijo scored two more runners with a 2RBI double.Â
Arkansas tallied two more runs in the second and third innings, scoring on two home runs, including a second round-tripper from Ellis.Â
Southern Miss chipped into Arkansas' lead in the fourth inning with three runs, the most scored against the Razorbacks this season. Despite two early strikeouts, Ryanna Valdivia drew a walk, bringing Weeks up to the plate, who launched the first pitch over the centerfield wall for a two-run home run. Mikaila Fox continued the team's momentum with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Shortstop Claire Ginder then hit an RBI single to send Fox home.
Lee earned the team's fifth and final hit of the game, as she delivered her first double of the season. Lee knocked 15 doubles for the Golden Eagles last season, which ranked fourth in the Sun Belt.
After Arkansas retired the side in order in the sixth, the Razorbacks tallied three runs to close out the game 12-4, ending the match on a run scored on a Southern Miss fielding error.
Freshman left-hand pitcher Jolie Hays also made her collegiate debut in the circle for Southern Miss, throwing 15 pitches in the final frame.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will rematch against Arkansas Sunday at 10 a.m., before ending their time in Ruston with a matchup versus Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m. Sunday's contest against the Bulldogs will be available to watch on ESPN+.
For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lexi King (2-0)
L: Lee, Jana (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Lee, Jana 1
HR: Weeks, Maddie 1
RBI: Weeks, Maddie 2 ; Ginder, Claire 1
SH: Weeks, Maddie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Christian, Hannah 1 ; Valdivia, Ryanna 1 ; Weeks, Maddie 1 ; Fox, Mikaila 1
SB: Taylor, Natalie 1
HBP: Christian, Hannah 1 ; Fox, Mikaila 1
Batting:
2B: Kailey Wyckoff 1 ; Ella McDowell 1 ; Courtney Day 1 ; Raigan Kramer 1 ; Atalyia Rijo 1
3B: Ava Carter 1
HR: Ella McDowell 1 ; Bri Ellis 2
RBI: Ella McDowell 1 ; Bri Ellis 5 ; Atalyia Rijo 4 ; Ava Carter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Reagan Johnson 1 ; Kailey Wyckoff 1 ; Ella McDowell 2 ; Bri Ellis 2 ; Kasey Wood 1 ; Courtney Day 1 ; Spencer Prigge 1 ; Raigan Kramer 2 ; Ava Carter 1
SB: Kailey Wyckoff 1
HBP: Courtney Day 2 ; Karlie Davison 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
RHP/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
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