JACKSON, Miss. ? Seven early runs helped the University of South Alabama softball team to a 9-1 routing over Jackson State Wednesday night.  Six Jags recorded hits on the night, sparked by Carolina Mendoza’s two-run home run in the first inning.  

Mendoza gave the Jags an early lead in the first after a two-run home run over the left field fence that brought in Katie McGuire.

JSU (7-11) answered back in the bottom when Wendy Reed singled to right center to score Amanda Boggan and close the gap to 2-1.

Brittanie Talley was the top Tiger hitter going 2-for-3, but was unable to capitalize as JSU fell to the Jags (8-12-1).  Talley went six innings, allowing 11 Jaguar hits.  

The Jags broke the game open with a five-run second.  Kelsey Volz’s sacrifice fly brought Corey Race across the plate to get the scoring started for USA.  Christin Crocker then followed with a hit of her own that scored Marissa Boyd.  McGuire’s sacrifice fly to right field later scored Danielle Honore to push the lead to 5-1.

The final two runs of the inning came on an RBI single back up the middle off the bat of Donaldson to plate Crocker.  Mendoza then capped off the scoring when she came home on a JSU fielding error.  

Mendoza was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with two RBIs and a home run, her third of the season.

Up 7-1, USA added two more runs in the sixth when Donaldson recorded her second RBI of the game on a groundout to second that scored Crocker.  Pinch hitter Kalin Lasseter plated Mendoza for the final run on a single to right field as USA routed the Tigers 9-1 Wednesday night.

Katy Neal (3-1) recorded the win for the Jags, as she went the distance, striking out eight along the way.  

USA softball opens an eight-game home stand next Wednesday when they play a double header against Mississippi Valley State starting at 4 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).