USA-APSU Box
USA- Ole Miss Box
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of South Alabama scored 21 runs on day two of the Red and Blue Classic, defeating Austin Peay 11-2 in game one, and knocking off tournament host Ole Miss 10-2 in the nightcap.
“I am really proud of the team,” Jaguar head coach Becky Clark said. “Everything that I asked of them yesterday they gave today. We talked about being consistent and putting pressure on people and they did that all the way thorough both games.”
“Morgan (Druhan) did a great job today against Austin Peay. They are a very good offensive ball club. Hannah (Campbell) did a great job throwing strikes and making big pitches when we needed her to against Ole Miss. When you get good pitching you give yourself a chance to win.”
“Overall it was a great day for South Alabama softball and I feel like we are headed in the right direction.”
USA improved to 11-3, while APSU moved to 3-10 and Ole Miss fell to 4-10.
Against APSU, the Jags recorded a season-high 17 hits, and for the fifth time this season USA put at least 10 runs on board. This was also the Jags fifth five inning victory of the season.
The Jags jumped out to an early scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the first. It all started when Jenny Stevens singled to left and then stole second. Brittany Fowler followed with a single to shallow centerfield. APSU pitcher Lauren De Castro then hit Haley Hopkins to load the bases. The next batter, Christin Crocker hit an RBI-single to drive in the Jags first run of the game. Freshmen Julie Moss then singled to right to plate Fowler and Meghan Collins walked to drive in Crocker.
After the first Lady Gov batter reached in the second inning, Morgan Druhan struck out the side.
Katy Neal led off the third with a double to the right field wall. Carolina Mendoza hit an RBI-single to score Brittany Wynne who came in to pinch run for Neal.
In the bottom half inning, Catie Cozart and Morgan Brewer hit back-to back singles to put APSU within two.
Hopkins led off the fourth inning with a stand up double to the right centerfield wall. She later extended the Jags lead to 5-2 when she advanced home on a pass ball.
South Alabama scored six runs on seven hits in the fifth. Mendoza led the charge with two hits and an RBI. Britany Campbell and Neal also recorded an RBI while Fowler and Collins each recorded two to put the Jags up 11-2.
Collins has now hit safely in the last eight games, while Stevens and Fowler have recorded a hit in the last seven. Six Jaguar batters recorded a multi-hit game, while all nine starters reached base.
Druhan went the distance for the Jaguars earning her third win of the season while striking out eight. De Castro took the loss for Austin Peay.
In the nightcap, Hopkins hit her sixth home run of the season to help lead the Jags to a 10-2 victory over Ole Miss. She is now tied with Steven’s as the programs all-time career home run leader (16). Tonight’s win was the Jags second career victory over an SEC opponent.
Fowler led the Jaguar offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. She scored three runs and a game-high tying five RBI.
In the top of the second, Collins launched a two RBI-home run to deep left field driving in Neal to put the Jags on the board. The home run extended her hitting streak to nine games. Both Stevens and Fowler also extended their hitting streak to eight games. Fowler drove in Mendoza to put the Jags up 3-0.
Ole Miss scored its only two runs on three hits in the bottom half inning.
The Jags tacked on one run in top of the fifth when Collins walked to drive in Fowler.
In the top of the sixth, Fowler singled to left field to score Stevens who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Hopkins then lengthened the Jags lead when she hit a long ball to the deepest part of the park to plate Fowler and put the Jags up 7-2.
Fowler drilled a line drive home run over the left field wall to drive in three more runs for the Jaguars.
Freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell (4-2) earned the win while striking out six Ole Miss batters and allowing only two runs.
The Jags return to action tomorrow at 11 a.m. when they take on Austin Peay.
Game Notes: Meghan Collins hit her third home run of the season against Ole Miss. After today, the Jags have now recorded 23 home runs this season.
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).
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