USA vs. FIU box score


BOCA RATON, Fla. – After resuming play with the 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, senior Haley Hopkins led the No. 2 University of South Alabama softball team to a 9-1 victory over No. 3 FIU in six innings in the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the FAU Softball Complex Friday morning.

“I’m really proud of our offense,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “Throughout this season, we’ve been saying great pitching and great defense and our offense hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been what we know it can be. These kids hung in there and they’re showing what they’re capable of. I’m just really happy and excited for them because no one wants it more than they do.”

With the win, South Alabama tied the school record for most wins in a season improving to 37-15 on the year. FIU fell to 28-26 overall.

USA outhit the Panthers 10-4. Hopkins paced all Jaguar bats going 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI after leading off this morning’s fifth inning with a home run and scoring the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Meghan Collins and freshman Kaitlyn Griffith went 1-for-2 with two RBI while freshman Alyssa Linn put up a pair of hits in the contest. Junior Brittany Fowler and freshman Alex Breeden added a hit apiece.  

South Alabama picked up right where they left off Thursday night, tacking on three runs off a pair of home runs in the bottom of the fifth. Hopkins hit the first pitch of the inning over the left field fence giving the Jaguars the 6-1 advantage. After FIU relief pitcher Mariah Dawson walked Collins, Griffith hit a two-run homer to center field putting USA on top 8-1.

The Jags led off the sixth with a single to left field by Linn before Linn stole second. Fowler followed with a base hit to center and advanced to second moving Linn to third. With one out in the inning, Hopkins ended the game with a single down the right field line plating Linn.

Sophomore Hannah Campbell (21-10) went the distance in the circle for USA - her 26th complete game of the season - after allowing four hits and one unearned run in six innings. Panther starting pitcher Jenn Gniadek (8-11) took the loss after 1.1 innings of work where she gave up four hits and five runs. Dawson finished the game for FIU allowing four runs and six hits.

The Jags will take on either Louisiana-Monroe or the loser of the Westerrn Kentucky'Louisiana-Lafayette game in the semifinals later on Friday.

After having the start of the game delayed on Thursday for over three hours South Alabama put up three runs in the bottom of the first off of a pair of extra-base hits. With one out in the inning, Gniadek issued back-to-back walks to Blair Johnson and Fowler before Hopkins hit a double down the left field line, plating Johnson. Collins followed with a triple to right center bringing home Fowler and Hopkins. The Panthers picked up the last two outs before the Jags could do any more damage.

Breeden led off the second inning with a single to right field and advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt by junior Britany Campbell. Linn then singled to left before the Panthers brought in Mariah Dawson to relive Gniadek. Johnson hit a double to deep center scoring Breeden and Linn and putting the Jaguars on top 5-0.

FIU threatened in the top of the third after two Jaguar errors put Panther runners on second and third with no outs, but senior third baseman Christin Crocker turned the unassisted double play at third when Jessy Alfonso lined out to the Pelham, Ala., native.  Crocker then tagged the bag at third to double off Megan Horne. H. Campbell then struck Kayla Burri out looking to end the inning unscathed.

The Panthers got on the board in the top of the fourth after a South Alabama throwing error by H. Campbell allowed Ashley McClain to reach first.  After advancing to second on a ground out, McClain hustled around the bases and came into score when Shelby Graves beat out an infield single.  That would be the only run for the contest for FIU.

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).