Christian Homers Twice to Power Southern Miss to Series Win Over App State
4/26/2025 5:59:00 PM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss Softball (23-24, 10-9 Sun Belt) secured a series victory over App State (20-25, 10-10 Sun Belt) with a 7-4 win Saturday afternoon at the Southern Miss Softball Complex, led by freshman Hannah Christian's first career multi-home run performance.
Christian became the first Golden Eagle to homer twice in a game since program home run leader Hannah Borden accomplished the feat on March 30, 2024, at Troy. Christian opened the scoring with a solo shot to right center in the first inning and followed with a two-run blast in the second, driving in three runs to pace the Southern Miss offense.
The Golden Eagles rode Christian's momentum out of the leadoff spot, producing their 14th game this season with 10 or more hits. Southern Miss tallied 11 hits in the contest, marking the tenth time they've reached double digit hits at home this season.
In the circle, Jana Lee picked up her ninth win of the season, working over five innings while allowing four runs on ten hits with four strikeouts. Natalie Herrington closed out the game, throwing the final inning to secure the victory.
The Golden Eagles capitalized with pressure on the basepaths, registering a season-high four stolen bases. Carrie Green led the charge with two stolen bases.
Green also chipped in with two hits and two runs scored to help fuel Southern Miss' offense. Seniors Mikaila Fox, Maddie Weeks and Lee also recorded multi-hit games along with the freshmen duo of Green and Christian.
Southern Miss jumped out to a 6-0 lead through the first two innings. After Christian's leadoff homer, Lee plated Maddie Weeks with an RBI groundout, and Mikaila Fox capped the first-inning rally with an RBI bunt single.
In the second, after Shelby Allen singled and stole second before advancing on an error, Christian crushed her second homer of the game. Lee then drove in her second RBI with a double to left field, scoring Green.
App State answered with two runs on a two-RBI single by Grace Barrett in the third, but Southern Miss responded with an insurance run in the fifth. After Fox singled and Ryanna Valdivia doubled, Kayce Bennett drove in a run on a fielder's choice.
The Mountaineers threatened in the sixth, adding a run on a sacrifice fly and another on a single by Macy Hamby. However, a timely double play at third base by Fox and a swinging strikeout from Herrington in the seventh sealed the series win for the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss Notes
Up Next
Southern Miss looks to complete its first series sweep of the season Sunday against App State. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
Christian became the first Golden Eagle to homer twice in a game since program home run leader Hannah Borden accomplished the feat on March 30, 2024, at Troy. Christian opened the scoring with a solo shot to right center in the first inning and followed with a two-run blast in the second, driving in three runs to pace the Southern Miss offense.
The Golden Eagles rode Christian's momentum out of the leadoff spot, producing their 14th game this season with 10 or more hits. Southern Miss tallied 11 hits in the contest, marking the tenth time they've reached double digit hits at home this season.
In the circle, Jana Lee picked up her ninth win of the season, working over five innings while allowing four runs on ten hits with four strikeouts. Natalie Herrington closed out the game, throwing the final inning to secure the victory.
The Golden Eagles capitalized with pressure on the basepaths, registering a season-high four stolen bases. Carrie Green led the charge with two stolen bases.
Green also chipped in with two hits and two runs scored to help fuel Southern Miss' offense. Seniors Mikaila Fox, Maddie Weeks and Lee also recorded multi-hit games along with the freshmen duo of Green and Christian.
Southern Miss jumped out to a 6-0 lead through the first two innings. After Christian's leadoff homer, Lee plated Maddie Weeks with an RBI groundout, and Mikaila Fox capped the first-inning rally with an RBI bunt single.
In the second, after Shelby Allen singled and stole second before advancing on an error, Christian crushed her second homer of the game. Lee then drove in her second RBI with a double to left field, scoring Green.
App State answered with two runs on a two-RBI single by Grace Barrett in the third, but Southern Miss responded with an insurance run in the fifth. After Fox singled and Ryanna Valdivia doubled, Kayce Bennett drove in a run on a fielder's choice.
The Mountaineers threatened in the sixth, adding a run on a sacrifice fly and another on a single by Macy Hamby. However, a timely double play at third base by Fox and a swinging strikeout from Herrington in the seventh sealed the series win for the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss Notes
- Jana Lee's double in the second inning moved her to 39 career doubles, tying her for fourth-most in program history with Sarah Evans. Her two RBI also pushed her career total to 111, tied for fifth-most with Kenya Peters.
- Hannah Christian now has three home runs in her last four games after recording her first career homer last Saturday at James Madison.
- Christian has safely hit in 18 of her last 20 games and in all but two conference games this season. Her 26 hits in Sun Belt play rank first among true freshmen and third overall.
- Southern Miss' 16 home wins this season are the program's most since finishing 16-7 at home in 2019. The last time the Golden Eagles won 17 home games was in 2009 (17-12-2).
- The Golden Eagles continued the second day of their Senior Weekend celebration, recognizing Lee, Claire Ginder, Faith Kivett and Maddie Moody.
Up Next
Southern Miss looks to complete its first series sweep of the season Sunday against App State. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
Players Mentioned
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