USA vs. ULL box score


BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 2 seed University of South Alabama softball team downed No. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the FAU Softball Complex securing the Jaguars’ first-ever Sun Belt Conference Championship title in program history.

"Today's win epitomizes our team,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “They love to compete and they never give in. I am so proud of them and excited for what they have accomplished. What a great day for our players and entire program."

The Jags (39-15) handed ULL only its fourth loss of the season dropping the Ragin’ Cajuns, ranked No. 6 nationally, to 49-4 on the year.

USA outhit the Ragin’ Cajuns 8-4 on the afternoon. Senior Christin Crocker was 2-for-3 while senior Haley Hopkins, juniors Brittany Fowler and Meghan Collins, sophomore Britany Campbell and freshmen Alyssa Linn and Alex Breeden added a hit each.

In the bottom of the fifth, South Alabama took the lead from ULL with three runs scored off the bat of Fowler. B. Campbell hit a one-out bunt single before a Ragin’ Cajun error on the shortstop allowed Linn to reach first and B. Campbell to move to second. After Johnson went down swinging for the second out of the inning, Fowler homered to right field pushing B. Campbell and Linn across the plate for the first Jaguar advantage of the contest.

The Ragin’ Cajuns jumped ahead to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Christi Orgeron hit a two-out solo shot over the right center fence.

Sophomore Hannah Campbell (23-10) picked up the win after allowing only four hits and one run while Ashley Brignac (21-3) took the loss after tossing a complete game.

The Jags will continue postseason play at a NCAA Regional next weekend.

*2012 Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team:*

Brittany Fowler, South Alabama

Haley Hopkins, South Alabama

Jordan Wallace, Louisiana-Lafayette

Nerissa Myers, Louisiana-Lafayette

Preslie Cruce, Western Kentucky

Ashley Kirk, North Texas

Janel Salanoa, Louisiana-Monroe

Shelby Graves, FIU

Kacie McAllister, Troy

*Most Outstanding Player: *Hannah Campbell, South Alabama

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).

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