USA-AAMU Box Score
USA-UAB Box Score
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – The University of South Alabama softball team picked up a pair of wins on day one of the Hibbett Easton All-Alabama Softball Classic at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills, Ala. The Jags shutout Alabama A&M, 15-0, in their opener, and defeated UAB, 4-2, in game two.
“Overall, I was extremely happy with our approach,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “The team came out with a lot of confidence, and I thought that everyone did a good job. I can’t think of a better way to have started the season. We had a great day today, and I am looking for the same effort and consistency tomorrow.”
The Jags moved to 2-0 overall, while both the Blazers and the Bulldogs fell to 0-2.
In the opener, sophomore pitcher Morgan Druhan (1-0) recorded her first collegiate no-hitter in five innings, striking out a career-high 12 batters and walking only two.
The Jags jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning. Senior short stop Jenny Stevens tripled to right field driving in center fielder Britany Campbell, who walked and then stole second to begin the inning. Later in the inning, Christin Crocker singled up the middle driving in Stevens. Crocker and Katie Neal added two more runs to give the Jags a 4-0 lead.
The Jags blew the game open in the second, scoring six runs on four hits. In the inning, the Jags sent all nine batters to the plate, highlighted by Haley Hopkins and Meghan Collins two-RBI home runs.
In the top of the third, Campbell homered over the right field wall to give the Jags an 11-0 advantage.
In the top of the fourth, freshman Julie Moss hit a home run over the left field wall at her first collegiate at-bat. USA added three more runs en route to a 15-0 victory.
Cassandra Brown (0-1) took the loss for the Bulldogs, while USA had three players with multiple-hits.
In the Jags second game of the day, UAB and South Alabama each recorded just four hits. Hopkins led South Alabama offensively, going 1-for-3 at the plate scoring one run and three RBI.
The UAB offense was led by Kalya Orr and Kate Armstrong. Orr went 1-for-3 with one RBI, while Armstrong went 1-for-2 with one RBI.
Caley Walden opened the game with a single and scored on a base hit by Armstrong to give the Blazers the early 1-0 lead.
Neither team scored again until the fourth inning. Blazer pitcher Lauren Webster (0-1) took the loss.
In the fourth, South Alabama collected four runs off back-to-back home runs. Right fielder Hopkins hit her second home run of the day when she slammed a two-run home run over the left field wall, followed by a solo long ball by Crocker.
The Blazers tacked on another run in the fifth after Hailey Glynn reached on a single through the left side of the infield and scored on a base hit by Orr.
UAB's Leigh Streetman stepped in for Webster in the bottom of the inning, allowing just one hit and no runs in the final two innings.
Lindsey Croft (1-0) got the win for South Alabama allowing two hits and one earned run in four innings pitched, before Hannah Campbell, took over in the circle and allowed two hits and one earned run in the final three innings.
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).
Game Notes: Haley Hopkins moved to first on the all-time career home runs (12). Christin Crocker and Jenny Stevens are tied for second in all time career home runs (11). Stevens moved to fourth on the all-time career hits list (93) and is now tied for third in all-time career triples (4). Julie Moss and Meghan Collins scored their first collegiate home runs. Britany Campbell scored her second career home run.
—USA—
