MOBILE, Ala. ? South Alabama opened the 2009 schedule with an 11-2 win over the Northwestern State Demons Friday night at Jaguar Field. The win marks the first time in program history the Jags have opened a season with a win.
A four-run fourth inning and six-run seventh propelled the Jags over the Demons in the first game of the South Alabama Invitational. Junior pitcher Beth Pilgram took care of the rest, allowing only six hits in a complete game.
“This was a great way for us to start the season,” South Alabama head coach Becky Clark said. “We have some things to clean up, but I was very pleased with our effort and focus.”
South Alabama recorded its first four runs in a third-inning surge, sparked by senior Kait Chernomaz. With Marissa Boyd on third, Christin Crocker on second and Kelsey Volz on first, Chernomaz cleared the bases with a double to left-center. Chernomaz later scored the inning’s fourth run on a wild pitch by Northwestern State’s Kelee Grimes.
“Chernomaz had a great at-bat for us in the third inning,” Clark added of her senior outfielder. “After her first at-bat she was able to make some adjustments. She took what was given to her and drove the ball right where it needed to go. After the first time through the order, I felt the rest of our team also made some good adjustments at the plate.”
Northwestern State’s Amanda Jameson scored on a Jaguar error in the third inning to bring the score to 4-1. In the fifth, Chernomaz collected her fourth RBI of the game when she brought in Crocker with a single up the middle to extend the lead to 5-1. The Demons answered back with what would be their final run of the evening when Ainsley Pellerin scored off South Alabama’s second error in the game.
The Lady Jags shrugged off the errors to have the most productive inning of the night in the top of the seventh. With Crocker and Chernomaz on base, Tara Donaldson singled to right field to score Crocker and bring Chernomaz around to third.
USA’s next four batters all reached on walks. Kalin Lasseter and Haley Hopkins walked to bring in Chernomaz, then Marissa Boyd and Corey Race drew walks, scoring Danielle Honore and Lasseter, respectively. With two outs, Crocker doubled to left field to bring in Race and Boyd and extend USA’s lead to 11-2.
South Alabama’s next games are at noon Saturday against Jacksonville State and at 6 p.m. against Memphis.
In Friday’s matchup between Jacksonville State and Memphis, JSU held on for a 5-1 win after plating a pair of runs in the first two innings. The Gamecocks took advantage of 11 walks issued by Memphis pitching, and Ashley Elliasson picked up the win, collecting 12 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
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).
