USA vs. Ball State box score

USA vs. Lipscomb box score

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of South Alabama went 2-0 on the opening day of the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. Friday. The Jaguars shut out Ball State 3-0 before downing Lipscomb 9-2.

“We played well overall,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “We talked about needing to clean up our execution a little bit. There were some bunts, and that kind of stuff, that we needed to get down and we didn’t, but we were able to overcome that and still put runs on the board.

“Our pitchers did a great job today of keeping people off balance and hitting spots, and our offense came up with some really big hits in some crucial situations. When we needed to hit, we got the big hits. We’ll take 2-0 on day one anytime. It was a great start.”

With the wins, South Alabama advances to 8-5 on the year.

Game 1 – USA 3, Ball State 0
In the first game of the day, the Jags scored runs in the third, fourth and seventh innings to gain the 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. South Alabama’s Linn recorded two hits while senior Haley Hopkins, junior Brittany Fowler and freshman Kaitlyn Griffith notched a hit apiece totaling five on the game for the Jaguars.

After the Cardinals’ pitcher Audrey Workman walked USA freshman Blair Johnson, Fowler singled to center field in the top of the third inning. Hopkins then hit a sacrifice bunt putting runners on second and third. With two outs, senior Christin Crocker grounded out to the short stop plating Johnson to put the Jags on the board.

Griffith led off the following inning with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Britany Campbell. A Linn single then drove Griffith home for USA’s second run of the game.

After a scoreless fifth and sixth, Linn got a base hit through the left side and progressed to second when Johnson grounded out to Ball State pitcher Audrey Workman. With two outs, Hopkins doubled down the left line scoring Linn for South Alabama’s third and final run of the game.  

Sophomore lefty Hannah Campbell (4-4) went the distance in the circle striking out five batters and allowing only three hits in the contest. The Cardinals’ Workman was credited with the loss and fell to 2-5 overall.  

Game 2 – USA 9, Lipscomb 2

After giving up two runs in the bottom of the first, the Jags rallied scoring in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings to give USA the 9-2 advantage over the Lady Bisons.

Senior Katy Neal (3-1) picked up the win against the Lipscomb after four innings of work. Junior Jessica Dobson (1-0) tossed three innings of scoreless relief in the contest only giving up two hits. Dobson now has a team-leading 0.46 ERA.

Lipscomb’s Ashley Anderson (0-2) threw six innings for the Lady Bisons and recorded the loss.

The Jags outhit Lipscomb 14-6 with Johnson leading the way going 4-for-4 with three runs. Junior Meghan Collins was right behind Johnson with two hits in three at-bats, one run and four RBI.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, LU’s Kelsey Cartwright doubled to left center followed by a Caroline Mason home run to the same spot resulted in the Lady Binsons’ only runs of the game.

Collins hit a home run over the left field fence in the top of the second to put South Alabama on the board.

The Jaguars took the lead in the third inning two runs on three hits. Johnson and Hopkins both picked up base hits and advanced and the throw putting runners at second and third. Collins then hit a two-run single through the right side to give USA the 3-2 lead.

A two-run fourth and a four-run sixth inning would give the Jaguars the win.

Tomorrow the Jags will take on Illinois State at 10 a.m. and Purdue at 12:15 p.m. on day two of the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).