USA 10, Southeastern 2 box
HAMMOND, La. - The University of South Alabama team used hot bats to defeat Southeastern Louisiana 10-2 in six innings via the run rule Tuesday night at North Oak Park.
“Overall, it was a good night for us and I like the fact that we were aggressive,” Jaguar head coach Becky Clark said. “We came in with a lot of energy and I was really happy about that. We are coming off a couple days off so it’s nice to have some energy and go after somebody. This was a good win to prepare for our series against NorthTexas.”
Right-hander Morgan Druhan (9-6) was credited with the win after pitching four innings and striking out three, while allowing only one run. Junior Lindsey Croft pitched two innings of effective relief for the Jags, allowing only two hits and one unearned run.
Jessie Brown (6-8) took the loss for the Lady Lions in five innings of work. She allowed seven hits and five runs, four of which were earned.
Jenny Stevens and Kamee Vessey led the Jaguar offense with three hits apiece. Vessey recorded three RBI while Stevens added two.
Offensively, the Lady Lions were led by Tamera Ladnier who was 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Jaguars (30-12) jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second scoring four runs on three hits. With one out, Vessey singled to right center and advanced Carolina Mendoza, who walked to begin the inning, to third. Meghan Collins and Britany Campbell then drew back-to-back walks to send Mendoza home. Stevens followed with a two-run single to right to score Vessey and Collins. The next batter, Haley Richards dropped a bloop single over the shortstop to plate Stevens.
The Lady Lions (17-22) tried to even the score in the bottom half inning. With two outs and runners on the corners Hali Westmoreland drew a walk to load the bases. Druhan then forced the final Southeastern batter to pop up and get out of the inning unscathed.
USA extended its lead to 9-0 in the top of the fourth scoring five runs on six hits. Junior catcher Haley Hopkins singled down the left field line to start the inning and Christin Crocker followed when she reached on a sac bunt. Mendoza then stepped up to the plate and hit a single through the right side to drive in Hopkins. Vessey followed with a two-run single up the middle to score Crocker and Mendoza. The next batter, Collins, doubled to left to plate Vessey.
Southeastern tacked on one run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Katie Mathews singled up the middle. Two batters later, Ladnier singled to short to put runners on the corners and Megan McCollum singled back up the middle to score Mathews.
The Lady Lions cut the Jaguar lead to 9-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Kelsey Nicholls reached on an infield single to short and advanced all the way to third on a throwing error that hit off Nicholls' helmet. She later scored on a sacrifice fly.
USA answered right back in the top of the sixth scoring one run. Vessey doubled to deep centerfield to plate Crocker, who had doubled to left earlier in the inning.
The Jaguars return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. when they take on North Texas in a single game. The contest will be the first game of the final home series for Jaguars seniors Mendoza and Stevens. South Alabama will honor both seniors prior to the start of the game. Mendoza and Stevens were both members of USA’s inaugural signing class.
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—
NOTES: The victory was the Jags 13th run-rule victory of the season … The Jaguars have recorded 12 double-digit victories this season … USA is now 10-1 all-time against Southeastern Louisiana.
