USA 10, MTSU 2

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Sophomore outfielder Brittany Fowler recorded two home runs to lead the University of South Alabama softball team to its third Sun Belt Conference series win, defeating Middle Tennessee 10-2 in a six-inning run-rule victory Sunday afternoon at Blue Raider Field.

“I think that day two is about digging in and competing,” USA head coach Becky Clark commented. “We have a big week coming up next week, so this was a great way for us to finish out the series.”

With the win, the Jags improved to 27-7 and 7-2 in league play, while the Blue Raiders fell to 11-23 overall and 5-10 in the conference.

Fowler led the Jaguar offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with four RBI. Hopkins also posted a multi-hit performance going 2-for-3 at the plate, while recording two RBIs. Freshman Julie Moss had two RBIs for the second-straight game.  

Kelsey Dortch paced the Blue Raiders going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Freshman left-hander Hannah Campbell (12-3) went the distance for the third time this week tallying seven strikeouts and allowing only two runs.

The Jags wasted little time getting on the board in game three of the series. With Jenny Stevens on second, Fowler stepped up to the plate and cranked the third pitch she saw over the left field wall. Not only was it her fifth home run of the season but it was her second homer of the weekend.

After throwing nine consecutive innings without giving up a hit, Campbell relinquished a double to MTSU’s centerfielder Dortch. Kelsey Woodruff brought Dortch home on a hard-hit single just out of the reach of Jag third baseman Christin Crocker. Brittney Banania then lined a single down the left field line, advancing Woodruff to second. Campbell remained poised though and was able to get out of the jam when she forced Corrie Abel to ground out to third.

Haley Hopkins was hit by a pitch to start the fourth inning. Crocker then advanced her to second on a bunt-single back to the pitcher. The next batter, Julie Moss, laid down a sac bunt that not only advanced both runners but also plated Hopkins, who thanks to head up base running slid under the catcher to score. Meghan Collins continued her success at the plate,dropping a RBI-single into shallow right field, lengthening the Jags lead to 4-1.

In the fifth inning Fowler added to her home run total when she blasted her second home run of the game to nearly exactly the same spot. She is now one home run away from being tied with teammates Crocker and Stevens in the category (7). Hopkins followed with a single to left and Crocker battled back from a 0-2 count to draw a walk. Crocker’s walk forced MTSU starter Caty Jutson (3-6) out of the game. A hard-hit ball to short from Moss drove in Hopkins and put the Jags up 6-1. After giving up the hit to Moss, yesterday’s game one winner Jordyn Fisherback recorded the final out of the inning.

The Jaguars extended their lead to 10-1 in the top of the sixth. Collins led off with a single to left field and Haley Richards reached when she was hit by a pitch. Pinch hitter Carolina Mendoza then singled to left center scoring Collins and advancing Richards to third.  A sac fly to the deepest part of the park from Fowler later plated Richards and the next batter, Hopkins, launched USA's third home run of the game over the centerfield wall driving in Mendoza. Hopkins home run not only ties the season lead in home runs (7), but it also brings her within one of Stevens as the program’s all-time leader in the category (18).
 
Middle Tennessee cut into the Jaguar lead in the bottom of the fifth. Kayla Toney singled to the shortstop to bring in Abel, who had singled to begin the inning. With runners in scoring position, Campbell ended the comeback attempt as she struck out the final two batters to clinch the series for the Jags.

For more info 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: This is the Jags 9th run-rule victory of the season. USA now holds a 9-8 all-time lead over MTSU.


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