USA 2, FIU 0 Box
USA 7, FIU 5 Box
MIAMI,Fla. – The University of South Alabama softball team scored nine runs en route to its doubleheader sweep and sixth conference series win over Sun Belt Conference opponent Florida International Saturday night at FIU softball Complex. USA shutout FIU 2-0 in game one, and clinched the series with a 7-5 victory in game two.
USA improved to 34-13 on the year and 13-8 in conference play, while FIU fell to 27-25 overall and 11-10 in SBC action.
“These were two great wins for us today,” Jaguar head coach Becky Clark commented. “I thought it was huge for us to come down here and get two big wins today. The girls played with a lot of purpose and we need to come back out tomorrow and finish up the series with the same intensity.”
Senior Carolina Mendoza ignited the Jaguar offense in the top of the third when she blasted a solo shot over the left field wall¬ to put USA up 1-0 ¬- the home run was her first of the season. With two outs, freshman second baseman Haley Richard’s rifled a line drive single off of the first baseman’s glove to reach base for the second time in as many at bats. Brittany Fowler followed with a single up the middle and Haley Hopkins reached on an error by the shortstop to load the bases. FIU starter Jenn Gniadek worked her way out of the jam by retiring the next Jag she faced.
In the bottom of the fourth the Panthers threatened to score. With two outs, Kayla Burri singled to left and then stole second. Hannah Campbell then forced FIU catcher Jenny Welch to ground out ending the inning.
Left-hander H. Campbell continued her dominance in the circle after surrendering a lead-off single to Rachel Slowik. Campbell then retired the next three batters she faced to keep the Panthers off the board.
USA extended its lead to 2-0 in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Mendoza hit an RBI-triple to right center to plate Meghan Collins who drew a walk in the previous at bat.
FIU had an opportunity to score in the bottom half inning. Ashley McClain reached and advanced to second on a Stevens throwing error. The next batter, Rojas dropped a single into shallow left field to put runners on the corners, with one out. Two strong plays from shortstop Stevens helped the Jags end the inning unscathed.
Mendoza paced the Jags at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance driving in two and scoring one. Stevens, Richards, Fowler and Collins all recorded one hit apiece.
Offensively, the Panther were led by Slowik who went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Campbell (16-5) went the distance for the Jags recording her 18th complete-game and fourth shutout. In the victory, she struck out three while scattering six hits.
Gniadek (13-12) took the loss for FIU after pitching a complete game allowing two runs and giving up six hits.
In game two of the doubleheader, junior catcher Katy Neal put the Jags 2-0 advantage. With two outs and Collins on second she launched a two-run homer over the centerfield wall – her sixth of the season. Sophomore centerfielder Britany Campbell helped continue the rally when reached base after being hit by a pitch and then proceeded to steal second. A triple to the right field wall by Stevens plated Campbell and extended the Jags lead 3-0.
FIU threatened to score in the bottom of the third. After retiring the first two batters she faced sophomore pitcher Morgan Druhan relinquished her first hit of the game to McClain and then stole second. Rojas drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Druhan battled back and forced Burri to pop up to Collins to get out of the jam.
The Jaguars tacked on another run in the top of the fourth to make the score 4-0. With two outs B. Campbell laid down a bunt-single up the first base line and then stole second. A hard hit double to the deepest part of the park from Stevens scored Campbell.
In the bottom of the fourth, Druhan struck out the first two Panther batters she faced before a twenty minute rain delay halted the game. Druhan returned with two outs and proceeded to walk the next three FIU batters she faced to load the bases. After walking Beth Peller to force a run across and cut the lead to 4-1, FIU leftfielder Alex Casals stole home making it 4-2. Junior pitcher Lindsey Croft came in for relief and hit McClain to reload the bases. An illegal pitch by Croft forced another runner across to shorten the deficit to 4-3. Croft battled back and forced Rojas to groundout to second base to end the inning with Jags lead still intact.
The Jags answered right back in the top of the fifth scoring three runs on three hits and one Panther error. Hopkins walked and advanced to second on Christin Crocker’s single. Mendoza stayed hot and recorded her third RBI of the day when she lined a single to left to score Hopkins. McClain entered the game in relief for FIU with one out and runners on second and third. Collins proceeded to hit a two-run single to right that scored both Crocker and Mendoza. Neal then reached on a fielding error by Rojas that advanced Collins to second. Collins and Brittany Wynne who came in to pinch run for Neal advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch by McClain. B. Campbell reached when she was hit by a pitch to load the bases. McClain worked out of the jam by retiring the final two Jags she faced.
Casals led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to right and Jessey Alfonso drew a walk to put runners on first and second. USA turned to game one winner H. Campbell to get out of the jam. Peller reached on a fielder’s choice to advanced Casals to third. A wild pitch by H. Campbell brought Casals home and cut the Jags lead to 7-4.
Burri doubled to shallow right field and then advanced to third on a groundout by Slowik. With one out, Welch then lined a RBI-single through the left side to plate Burri. Jackie Tetlow reached on a fielder’s choice Casals doubled to deep right field to put runners in scoring position. H. Campbell buckled down and retired Alfonso to seal the Jags 7-5 victory.
Stevens and Mendoza led the Jags at the plate with two hits apiece, while Stevens Collins and Neal all recorded two RBI apiece.
FIU starter Mariah Dawson took the loss after 4.1 innings in the circle. In the loss, she allowed seven earned runs and nine hits while striking out only one USA batter.
Croft (8-2) earned the win after pitching 1.1 innings of relief. She allowed two hit and gave up one run. H. Campbell earned her fourth save of the season allowing one run and three hits.
The Jags return to action tomorrow in the series finale against Florida International. First pitch is schedule for noon.
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 7-7 all-time against FIU… USA has now recorded a program-high 13 conference wins ... The Jags have now won 6 of their 7 conference series.
—USA—
