MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama freshman Brittany Fowler hit the first home run of her collegiate career to help the Jags to a 5-1 softball victory over Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at Jaguar Field.
Beth Pilgrim (7-4) went the distance, pitching a no-hitter into the top of the fifth inning. She allowed one unearned run on three hits while striking out a season-high 13.
Both Fowler and Christen Crocker were 2-for-3 at the plate scoring one run. Fowler also reached base on a walk, and Haley Hopkins added a hit and a walk.
USA (10-9) out hit the Lions, 10-3.
"Today could have not gone any better. We were playing for a great cause and our team played well, said Jaguar head coach Becky Clark. "Beth did a great job in the circle, our hitters came up with some big hits when needed them and they ran the bases really well. I thought it was a great day for South Alabama softball."
Fowler homered to right field on the first play in the bottom of the third, giving the Jags the lead for good. Kelsey Volz followed with a single and advanced to second on an error, and after Hopkins was walked Marissa Boyd reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. The next batter, Danielle Honore, flied out to center field to bringing home Volz.
In the bottom of the fifth, Boyd grounded out to second base to score Crocker, who had singled and stolen second to start the inning. Later in the at bat, Courtney Chigaros and Kamee Vessey singled, plating Stephanie Dunaway - who pinch ran for Honore - and McGuire.
The Lions (5-11) scored their only run of the day in the top of the fifth inning when Meghan Gomez doubled to left center. Two batters later Amber Freeman reached on a fielding error, bringing home Gomez.
Gomez was 2-for-2 at the plate to lead SLU.
Kati Morse took the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings while striking out seven. Katelyn Thomason finished the game, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing one hit with one strike out.
The Jaguars took part in their second annual "Strikeout Cancer" game. This year, all proceeds went to benefit Camp Rap-A-Hope, a Mobile-based charity that provides summer camp experiences to pediatric cancer patients. The team wore yellow jerseys in honor of the late Krisanna Roberts one of Camp Rap-A-Hope's biggest supporters.
The Jaguars will return to action when they take on Nichols State Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Thibodaux, La.
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).
-USA-
