MOBILE, Ala. ? North Texas snapped the University of South Alabama softball team’s five-game win streak as the Jags fell 7-2 in their Sun Belt Conference opener at Jaguar Field Friday Night.
The Mean Green (13-10, 2-2 SBC) put the first run on the board in the second after Sarah Jones singled to right center to score Mariza Martinez.
USA (12-13-1, 0-1 SBC) took the lead in the bottom of the inning when Kristen Hayes walked to bring around Julie Morton. In the next at bat Kelsey Volz was hit by a pitch to plate Kalin Lasseter and push to a 2-1 Jaguar lead.
No Jag runner would reach scoring position for the rest of the game as Ashley Lail (6-3) threw the first no-hitter against USA this season.
“Lail did a good job of keeping the ball down and getting us off balance,” said head coach Becky Clark. “We were a little anxious tonight. Starting conference play the kids were trying to do a little too much, they wanted to start off strong. We know the adjustments we need to make and we will make them and come out tomorrow trying do a better job at controlling the game more.”
UNT picked up three more runs in the third when Jennifer Lynn singled through the right side to bring Kadie Platt home. Mallory Cantler followed with a single of her own up the middle that scored Megan Rupp. The final run of the inning came when Anna Barren stole home to give the Mean Green a 4-2 lead.
Martinez pushed the margin to 6-2 margin in the fifth after her homer to left field scored Lyndi Samuelson. Martinez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs on the night.
With two outs in the seventh Barren scored unearned on a Caitlin Grimes infield single to cap the scoring in the game.
Beth Pilgrim (7-7) went seven innings in the circle for the Jags, striking out six along the way.
USA softball returns tomorrow at Jaguar Field with two contests against North Texas at 12 and 2 p.m.
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).
