MOBILE, Ala. ? Big hits helped the University of South Alabama softball team (21-19-1, 7-6 SBC) take two wins (3-1, 3-1) against the Rajin’ Cajuns at Jaguar Field Friday night.

The wins mark the second time USA has beaten a ranked opponent; the last time was against the Cajuns on April 15, 2007, when the Jags shutout then No. 19 ranked ULL, 8-0.

“I am really proud of the kids, they worked really hard tonight,” said head coach Becky Clark. “They did a good job of winning the mental battle and shutting ULL down. We have tremendous respect for them as a program, so to get these wins is big for us.”

In game one, ULL (24-9, 6-4 SBC) put up the first run of the game in the top of the second when Christi Orgeron hit a home run over the left center wall.

The Jags answered in the bottom of the inning when Danielle Honore doubled to right center to bring home pinch runner Julie Morton from first to tie the game 1-1. Honore went 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Carolina Mendoza put USA up 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth when her fielder’s choice to the shortstop brought home Kelsey Volz and Christin Crocker.

Beth Pilgrim (12-9) went the distance in the win, striking out 11 along the way. Donna Bourgeois (17-6) took the loss for ULL, with 10 strikeouts in six innings pitched.

In the second game, it was USA that put the first run on the board on Tara Donaldson’s single through the right side that plated Crocker. Donaldson when 2-for-3 with one RBI.

ULL tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second off Kelly Cormier’s double to left that brought around Lana Bowers.

The Jags edged the eventual final score to 3-1 in the bottom of the inning after Morton came home unearned from second base on a Rajin’ Cajun error at third. Kait Chernomaz scored unearned two batters later a fielding error at third.

In the bottom of the fourth, ULL brought in Brittany Cuevas to pitch for Bourgeois (17-7), who left the game with two strikeouts after three innings in the circle. Pilgrim came in for the Jags during the sixth getting her fourth save, as Katy Neal (8-4) left the game with four strikeouts in five innings of work.

“Both of our pitchers were huge for us tonight,” Clark said. “Tonight was great hitting, defense and timely hitting when we needed it.”

USA will close out the series against the Rajin’ Cajuns at 12 p.m. Saturday.

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).