MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama softball team will open its inaugural season Wednesday when the Jags play their first-ever game, against Southern Mississippi. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
"We've been working really hard and going over fundamental stuff," said head coach Becky Clark. "I know there will be some mistakes along the way but as long as we compete, focus on the job at hand and work really hard, I will be happy.”
The Jaguars finished the fall 5-1, winning the two tournaments they hosted. Senior Linden Jones pitched a perfect game in her first outing as a Jaguar, recording 16 strikeouts in the game. Throughout the tournaments, Jones struck out 29, while only walking six and giving up three hits and no runs in 18 innings of work.
Junior outfielder Ashley Elmore went 10-for-20 in the six games, scoring eight runs, with three doubles, a triple, a home run and five RBIs.
Freshman Jenny Stevens also had a solid bat, going 11-for-20, with eight runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs. Stevens’ six RBIs were second only to sophomore Corey Race, who had eight.
"The balance on our team is really good," said Clark. "We have power at the plate, we have speed and some good pitching. If we can get our balance to be consistent on a daily basis, some teams are going to be surprised."
The Lady Eagles, under the direction of seventh year head coach Gay McNutt, are coming off a 1-4 weekend at the Getterman Classic, hosted by Baylor. USM held on to beat Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 3-2 in its last game, while falling to Stephen F. Austin, 12-4 and 8-7 in extra innings, No. 18 Baylor, 18-0 and Kentucky, 12-2.
Freshman Megan Hill leads the Lady Eagles offensively with four runs scored, three RBIs and five hits, including a double, a triple and a home run.
Freshman utility player Brandi Alonzo and junior outfielder Allison Bullard each had four hits this past weekend, with Alonzo hitting a home run and Bullard scoring three runs. Freshman Logan James and junior Jennifer Fox each ended the weekend with three hits, including a home run from James and two doubles by Fox.
Junior Shea Naramore was the pitcher of record for all five games, pitching 26.2 innings with three complete games and eight strikeouts. James also appeared in two games, only pitching 1.2 innings.
The Lady Eagles have combined for a .238 batting average, including 24 hits, six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 15 RBIs.
Southern Miss was picked to finish seventh in the Preseason Conference USA poll.
Live stats of the game will be available at www.southernmiss.com.
Following the game against the Lady Eagles, the Jaguars will travel to Jacksonville, Ala. for the JSU Gamecock Classic Feb. 17-18.
