MOBILE, Ala. ? Katy Neal recorded her second combined shutout in the last four days against Southeastern Louisiana as the University of South Alabama softball team overpowered the Lions 8-0 Tuesday night at Jaguar Field.
Neal (7-2) came out of the game after five innings in the circle with seven strikeouts. USA (16-16-1) brought in Beth Pilgrim in the top of the sixth, and she recorded the final three outs to complete Neal’s second Pilgrim’s third combined shutout of the season.
In the fifth inning the USA offense scored Kalin Lasseter on a RBI-single through the left side by Kelsy Donaldson.
With bases loaded, SLU (10-18) brought in Jenna Yoder for Katelyn Thomason (3-4), who took the loss for the Lions after 4.1 innings of work and five strikeouts.
Two batters later Carolina Mendoza plated Donaldson on an infield single. Tara Donaldson then put the Jags up 5-0 with a double to left field that brought home Mendoza, Katie McGuire and Christin Crocker.
Danielle Honore, and Tara and Kelsy Donaldson each finished the game going 2-for-3 at the plate. Tara Donaldson had a team-high three RBI.
“We started out slow but made the adjustment at the plate,” head coach Becky Clark said. “Katy did a good job working herself out of some pretty big jams. A couple times they had runners in scoring position and she worked herself out of it. Beth came in and did a good job slamming the door.”
The Lions made one final pitching change in the sixth when they called on Bailey Zievert. After Julie Morton, Haley Hopkins and Honore loaded the bases on hits, Kelsy Donaldson pushed Morton around when she reached on a SLU fielding error.
The Jags stretched the lead after Hopkins scored on Crocker’s walk. McGuire’s sacrifice fly to left field that scored Honore capped the win for the Jags in the sixth inning 8-0.
South Alabama softball will return to action Tuesday, March 31 when it plays host in a midweek Sun Belt Conference matchup against Florida Atlantic.
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).
