USA 10, FAU 1
USA 4, FAU 3

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MOBILE, Ala. – Christin Crocker’s three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh capped off a four-run come-from-behind victory for the University of South Alabama softball team and clinched its doubleheader sweep over Florida Atlantic Thursday night at Jaguar Field. USA won 10-1 in five innings in game one and captured a 4-3 victory in game two.

After scoring just three runs in the series opener the night before, the South Alabama offense erupted for 10 runs in the first game of the day as the Jags scored 10 runs.

“We talked about getting the focus back and playing as a team,” USA head coach Becky Clark commented. “We have had a little patch where we have struggled and these two games today showed the character of our team. I can challenge them and they rise to the occasion. I can’t say enough about their effort today.”

The Jaguar offense jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on three hits. Lead-off hitter Jenny Stevens singled up the middle to begin things and Haley Richards then reached on an Owl error when trying to sacrifice Stevens over.  Britany Fowler then recorded her 47th RBI of the season when single through the hole at second to drive in Stevens. Haley Hopkins then added USA’s second run of the inning when she reached on a sacrifice bunt that brought in Richards.  FAU’s defensive struggles then proved costly as Crocker reached on an error to score Hopkins and Fowler and give the Jags a 4-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the second, the Jaguars extended their lead to 6-0. B. Campbell started the inning when she beat out a throw for a bunt-single. Richards then laid down a sacrifice bunt and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Campbell to score. The Jags then scored on a squeeze play when Hopkins reached on a throwing error which plated Richards.

Moss and Neal hit back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the third and Meghan Collins drew a walk to load the bases.  Stevens then lined a two-run double to left center to score Moss and Neal. Richards followed with a single through the right side that brought Collins home and put USA up 9-0.

In the top of the fourth with the bases loaded FAU pushed a run across when Cari Curfman was hit by a pitch, but Jag starter Hannah Campbell worked her way out the jam and retired the next two Owl batters.

The Jags answered right back in the bottom half inning when Hopkins launched her team-leading eighth home run of the season over the left field wall.

H. Campbell went the distance for South Alabama in the opener, recording four strike outs and just the four hits.  FAU’s Taylor Fawbush took the loss, dropping her to 12-10 on the year.  

The first four batters in the Jaguar lineup did most of the damage for the Jags in game one, going a combined 5-for-9 with six runs scored and six RBI.   Stevens and Moss were each 2-for-2 at the plate in game one.

In game two, FAU’s Rose Gressley (14-9) held the Jaguar bats in check for much of the game as she took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning.  USA’s Katy Neal broke up the no-hitter in that inning with a single back up the middle.

Neal led the Jags at the plate with 1-for-2 performance. Crocker and Hopkins went 1-for-3 at the plate, while Crocker recorded three RBI and Hopkins recorded a one.

Offensively, the Owl’s were led by Curfman, who went 2-for3 at the plate and Heather Barnes went 1-for-2 with one run and two RBI.

FAU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Fawbush drew a walk and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Curfman followed with a single to left to put runners on the corners. The Owls then pushed one run across when Fawbush scored on a wild pitch.

Florida Atlantic tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth all with two outs. Kerri Croney was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Two batters later, Barnes hit a two-run homer over the left field wall – her second of the series.

After only recording one hit through the first six innings off Gressley, the Jags got to the senior right-hander in the bottom of the seventh.  Stevens got the Jaguar rally started with a single left and with one out, Fowler stepped to the plate and singled in the gap to right center moving Stevens to second.  Hopkins then lined a single of her own to left center, bringing Stevens all the way around to score and trim the deficit to 3-1 and set up the heroics for Crocker.  With two runners aboard, Crocker launched a 1-0 pitch deep over the wall in left – her eighth of the season – to give the Jags the victory.   

H. Campbell (15-8) earned her second victory of the day after pitching two innings in relief and allowed just one hit in the finale.

USA will return to action on Tuesday evening when the Jags head to Hammond, La., to take on the Lions.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

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: Christin Crocker and Haley Hopkins are tied for the team lead in home runs with eight … Crocker, Hopkins and Jenny Stevens are in a three-way tie for the program’s all-time career home run leader (18) … The two wins versus FAU also gave the Jags their first series-win over the Owls … With the five-inning victory in game one, USA has now won 11 games via the run-rule this season.

—USA—