USA-FSU Box
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of South Alabama softball team committed five costly errors that led to three unearned runs as the Jaguars dropped a 6-0 decision to Florida State Wednesday night at JoAnne Graf Field.
With the loss the Jaguars move to 21-5 on the season.
“Tonight, I thought we beat ourselves,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “We have to take care of the fundamentals and the little things that helped bring us success in the first place. We need to not worry so much about the outcome and worry more about the process.”
FSU (13-13) jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first with a run. With one out, Courtney Senas singled to center and then stole second. On the play, Jag catcher Katy Neal attempted to throw out the Seminole center fielder, but Neal’s throw bounced off Senas’ helmet, which ended up near the outfield wall, allowing Senas to come all the way around to score and give FSU the early 1-0 lead.
The Jaguars had an opportunity to score in the top of the second, when Haley Richards reached on an error and then advanced to second on a pass ball, but senior FSU pitcher Sarah Hamilton (6-9) then retired the final Jaguar batter to end the inning. Hamilton would go on to allow just one hit, while recording 12 strike outs.
The Seminoles tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third. Tiffani Brown reached to begin the inning on USA’s third error of the game. Senas then followed with a double to left center and Robin Ahrberg reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Brown scored the Seminoles’ first run of the inning when Jen Lapicki reached courtesy of another Jaguar fielding miscue and one batter later, Lapicki scored on another fielder’s choice.
FSU added two more on in the fourth after an infield single by Brown that scored Briana Hamilton from third base. Two batters later, Ahrberg dropped in an RBI single to shallow right, extending the lead to 5-0. The Seminoles’ final run came in the sixth when Ashley Stager scored on a passed ball.
Junior Haley Hopkins recorded the only hit for the Jaguars. Florida State was led at the plate by Senas, who was 3-for-3. Ahrberg and Shayla Jackson also had two hits apiece.
Freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell (7-3) took the loss for USA after going the distance for the eighth time this year. She allowed just three earned runs, while striking out three and walking two.
The Jags open up Sun Belt Conference play this weekend when they host Western Kentucky Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 at Jaguar Field. The series will conclude Sunday at noon.
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: The Jags are now 2-2 all-time against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. This is the first time the Jags have had back-to-back losses this season.
—USA—
