MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama softball team (22-21-1) fell 5-0 to Southern Miss at Jaguar Field Thursday night.

USM (20-21-1) put up the first run of the game in the second when Chanell Thurman’s single through the right side brought home Logan James unearned.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 4-0 in the third after Megan Hill led off with a triple to right field. Casey Jo Matthews followed with a short single to center field to bring Hill home and put USM up 2-0. Four batters later Lauren Castellvi hit a double to left to plate Matthews and Kristin Pilgrim, both unearned.

In the fourth, Hill came home unearned when Pilgrim reached on an error to pull USM ahead 5-0. Hill went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and one triple.

Freshman Haley Hopkins came in to pitch for Katy Neal (9-5) in the top of the fifth. Neal left the game with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Hopkins finished the game with five strikeouts in three innings pitched.

Courtney Ramos (10-10) notched the win after seven innings in the circle and five strikeouts.

Top hitter for the Jags was Christin Crocker, who went 1-for-2 at the plate.

USA softball will head to Miami, Fla., to play a three-game series against Florida International with a doubleheader starting at noon (CDT) 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).