USA-La. Tech Box
USA-SEMO Box
OXFORD, Miss. – Junior catcher Katy Neal hit for a cycle on the first day of the Red and Blue Classic. During game one she recorded a single, double and triple in the Jags 8-0 five inning shutout over Louisiana Tech, and in the Jaguars 8-3 victory over Southeastern Missouri she completed the cycle with a solo home run to the deepest part of the park.
“I thought we had a good day today.” USA head coach Becky Clark commented. “ We need to continue to focus on the little things and be consistent tomorrow.”
In game one, Brittany Fowler, Katy Neal and Meghan Collins led the Jags at the plate. Fowler went 2-for-3 – hitting her second home run of the season - scoring two and driving in a pair, while Neal went a perfect 3-for-3 driving in two and scoring one. Collins recorded a 2-for-2 performance at the plate, scoring one and driving in one.
Jenny Stevens, Brittany Campbell, Haley Hopkins, Christin Crocker and Julie Moss all recorded a hit for the Jaguars.
Freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell (2-2) recorded her second complete game win in five innings, allowing only two hits while striking out six.
With two outs in the bottom of the second, Neal hit an RBI-single to left field to drive in Crocker who walked to begin the inning.
The Jags (9-3) tacked on another run in the third when Hopkins hit an RBI-double driving in Fowler who reached on an error to begin the inning.
In the top of the fourth, Stevens hit a sacrifice fly to center field driving in Brittany Wynne who came in to pinch run earlier in the inning.
The Jaguars broke the game open in the top of the fifth scoring five runs on five hits. Fowler launched a home run over the right centerfield wall to begin the inning. The next batter, Moss hit an RBI-single to right center driving in Hopkins who walked to get on base. One batter later, Neal hit an RBI-triple to left center driving in Moss. Collins then hit a single to plate Neal, and Stevens then singled stole second. The Jags scored the winning run of the game when Fowler walked with the bases loaded to drive in Collins.
Meghan Knowles and Molly Goza recorded the only two hits for Bulldogs, while USA outhit La. Tech 11-2.
Against Southeast Missouri, Stevens hit her fifth home run of the season reclaiming the lead as the program’s all-time career home run leader (16).
The Jags scored four runs on two hits in the top of the second, highlighted by Fowlers two-RBI double up the middle.
SEMO’s Carmen Fowler doubled to right center driving in Cheyenne Gibson who walked to begin the inning. One batter later, Renee Kertz singled up the middle driving in Fowler.
The Jags tacked on one run in the top of the fourth when Crocker doubled down the left field line plating Stevens, who walked to begin the inning, giving the Jaguars a 5-2 lead.
Southeastern (1-5) scored one run in the bottom half inning.
The Jaguars scored three runs in the top of the fifth to put USA up 8-3. To start the inning, Neal hit a solo home run over the center field wall. Collins singled to left field and then advanced to second on Vessey’s sacrifice bunt. The next batter, Stevens homered to deep centerfield driving in Collins.
Collins and Fowler both went 2-for-4 to lead the Jags at the plate.
Pitcher Lindsey Croft (4-0) earned the win in four innings striking out four SEMO batters, while Morgan Druhan came in and earned the save after pitching three innings of relief striking out seven.
Shea Cothren took the loss for the Redhawks in 1.1 innings allowing four earned runs, while Cowan came in for 2.2 inning and Barnes pitched three innings of relief.
South Alabama returns to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. when they take on Austin Peay at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
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—
