TEMPE, Ariz. ? Jaguar softball (7-11-1) finished the second day of the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational with a 3-1, nine-inning loss to Southern Utah. Earlier, Kait Chernomaz hit a three-run home run to lead the University of South Alabama softball team to a 5-1 win over Utah State.

USA starter Beth Pilgrim took a shutout into the ninth before giving up a three-run rally. Jenavieve Purcell, Aly Daniels and Shannon Lum all contributed run-scoring hits for Southern Utah in the decisive frame.

The Jags fought back in the bottom of the inning plating a run on a wild pitch but was unable to get any closer.

Carolina Mendoza went 3-for-5 at the plate while Pilgrim (5-6) finished the game in the circle with 11 strikeouts in nine innings pitched. It was USA’s first extra-inning contest this season.

“I thought that Beth did a good job again today for us,” said head coach Becky Clark. “This is one of those games that puts us in situations as a team that we can learn from to prepare for conference play.”

Kristina Brooks took the win for SUU. She allowed nine hits and struck out eight Jags.

In the second game against Utah State, Chernomaz accounted for all three runs in the second inning with a homer to bring home Kalin Lasseter and Tara Donaldson.

USU (3-10) scored its only run of the game in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk.

The Jags got two insurance runs in the final two frames. Kalin Lasseter scored off a Corey Race hit in the sixth and Christin Crocker hit her third home run of the tournament in the seventh.

Katy Neal recorded her second win of the season (2-1) after finishing with seven strikeouts in seven innings of work.

“Katy pitched well today and gave up only one hit against Utah State,” said Clark. “The team did a good job at backing her up and that’s something that we have to continue doing in order to be successful during conference play.”

Crocker finished the game 2-for-4, and went 4-for-8 on the day.

The Jags finish the three-day event on Sunday with a 10 a.m. matchup against Northern Colorado.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).