USA 8, WKU 0 Box

USA 17, WKU 1 Box

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama softball team posted 25 runs en route to its doubleheader sweep over Sun Belt Conference foe Western Kentucky Saturday afternoon at Jaguar Field.

“I have to give our kids a lot of credit because we have struggled the past two games and didn’t do what we are capable of doing,” Jaguar head coach Becky Clark said. “I am really proud of the way that they rebounded and turned things around today.”

In game one, freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell earned her eighth win of the season, allowing just two hits and striking out five WKU batters.  The two base hits surrendered by Campbell (8-3) were the only two Lady Topper base runners in the opener.

Mallorie Sullaski (7-3) took the loss for WKU in 4.2 innings.

Christin Crocker and Julie Moss led the Jags at the plate with each going a perfect 2-for-2. Jenny Stevens, Britany Campbell, Brittany Fowler and Haley Hopkins also recorded a hit for the Jags.

The Jaguars took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.  Hopkins led off the inning with a walk and then came around to score on a wild pitch that rattled around the back stop. USA threatened to add two more runs in the inning, placing runners at second and third with one out, but Sullaski was able to work out of the jam.

After leaving the bases loaded in the fourth, USA began to break things open with four runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth. Stevens reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced Haley Richards – who bunted to begin the inning. Richards then advanced to third on a passed ball and Fowler then reached on another fielder’s choice to bring in Richards. Crocker followed with a two-run single, plating Fowler and Stevens. Moss then capped off the scoring with a stand up triple that went all the way to the right centerfield wall to score Crocker and put the Jags up 5-0.

In the sixth, Richards and Stevens hit back-to-back singled to start the inning. Campbell then followed with an RBI-single that dropped just inside the right field line to plate Richards.  Stevens then tacked on another run for the Jags when she scored on a passed ball. Fowler followed with an RBI-single through the right side to score Campbell and give South Alabama an eight-run lead and end the game.

In game two, USA wasted little time taking control as it erupted for 10 runs – nine of which were earned – in the first inning.  Fowler started things off with a single to left center, driving in Stevens who walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third. Crocker then reached on a fielder’s choice to plate Fowler. The next three batters Moss, Neal and Collins each recorded RBI-singles to extend the advantage out to 5-0.  In her second plate appearance of the inning, Stevens then reached base on an error to score Neal.  Campbell then single through the left side to drive in Collins.  WKU starter Kim Wagner would just last a third of an inning after allowing seven runs on 10 hits.  

With one out and the bases loaded, Fowler greeted WKU reliever Dana Nathanson with an bases-clearing triple to the right field wall driving Campbell, Stevens and Richards, giving USA the 10-0 lead.
The Jags tacked on two runs in the bottom of the third on RBI-singles from Campbell and Hopkins.
USA continued its offensive explosion in the bottom of the fourth with five more runs on three hits.  Collins lined a double to the left centerfield wall to drive in Moss, who reached on an error earlier in the inning.  With the bases loaded, Campbell hit a RBI-triple to the left center field wall, bringing in Stevens Collins and Richards.

The Lady Hilltoppers prevented the shut out in the top of the fifth on a Laura Smith double to center that brought home Katrina Metoyer.

USA starter, Morgan Druhan (8-1) went the distance to earn the win striking out eight and allowing only one run on two hits. The Spanish Fort, Ala., native did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.  Wagner took the loss and drops to 7-5 on the year.

Offensively, South Alabama was led by Campbell’s 3-for-3 performance at the plate.  The sophomore outfielder also scored three runs and drove in four.  Fowler added two hits of her own and a game-high five RBI.  Hopkins and Collins also had two hits apiece for the Jags in the win.

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).

NOTES: The Jags scored 17 runs in game two against WKU, which is the most they have ever scored against a SBC opponent … 17 runs ties for second most runs scored in a game in the program’s history … the 16-run differential in game two is the highest versus a league opponent … The Jags are off to a 4-1 start in conference games which is its best start in the program’s history after five games. South Alabama head coach Becky Clark recorded her 285th career victory today and has now recorded 129 wins at USA.

—USA—