USA 5, North Texas 0 Box Score
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MOBILE, Ala. – Junior Haley Hopkins’ three-run triple in the top of the fifth broke a scoreless tie and lifted the University of South Alabama softball team to a 5-0 shutout over Sun Belt Conference opponent North Texas Thursday night at Jaguar Field.
With the win, the Jaguars improved to 31-12 overall and 10-7 in conference play, while North Texas fell to 19-27 on the year and 5-14 in league action.
Freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell (15-5) went the distance for 16th time this season, striking out three and scattering six hits. The left-hander walked only one Mean Green batter and didn’t allow any runs.
“I thought Hannah did a great job on the mound,” USA head coach Becky Clark commented. “Tonight, we had good defense, great pitching and timely hitting.”
Jenny Stevens, Haley Richards, Haley Hopkins, Christin Crocker, Katy Neal and Britany Campell all recorded one hit apiece for the Jaguars. With her three runs batted in, Hopkins now has 38 on the year, while Crocker added two of her own on a two-run blast.
Offensively, North Texas was led by Lisa Johnson and Lesley Hirsch with two hits apiece.
The Jaguars threatened to score in the bottom of the second loading the bases with one out after walks to Carolina Mendoza and Meghan Collins and a base hit to B. Campbell, but Mean Green starter Brittany Simmons (10-12) was able to record the next two South Alabama batters and get out of the inning.
North Texas had its best opportunity to score in the top of the fourth. Mallory Cantler led off with a single to left center. Two batters later, Johnson singled to shallow centerfield to put runners in scoring position. Hirsch then lined a single over the pitchers head to load the bases. With two outs though, H. Campbell struck out the final Mean Green batter to get out of the inning unscathed.
After four scoreless innings, the Jags broke the scoring open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs on four hits. B. Campbell reached when she was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Stevens followed with a bunt single that deadened right in front of home plate. Richards then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both the runners and Fowler walked to load the bases. USA took advantage of this scoring opportunity as Hopkins hit a bases-clearing triple to the right field wall that was just over the out-stretched glove of UNT centerfielder Megan Rupp. Crocker then stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run homer to left ¬– her team-leading ninth of the season.
H. Campbell continued her dominance in the circle over the final two innings of play, allowing just two North Texas batters to reach base.
The Jaguars conclude the series Friday with their final doubleheader at Jaguar Field. First pitch is set for 2 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: The Jags are now 6-3 all-time against the Mean Green … Crocker has now recorded a program-high 19 homeruns … With the win, South Alabama is now on a four-game win-streak … Prior to the start of Thursday night’s contest, USA honored its two seniors, Jenny Stevens and Carolina Mendoza.
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