Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In a game that took almost two-and-a-half hours, the opportunities to strike were few on Thursday night. The only difference: No. 1/2 Alabama took advantage of theirs, while University of South Alabama softball could not. The result:  A 4-0 loss for the visitors, their first in 12 games and second of the season.
 
The Crimson Tide, given a top rank in the USA Today/NFCA Division I poll and listed runner-up to Oklahoma in the ESPN.com/USA Softball one this week, moved to 18-0 on the year with the win. USA falls to 13-2 this season after reeling off 12 straight wins dating back to a 2-1 loss to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Feb. 8.
 
UA’s Jackie Traina earned her ninth win of the season, striking out nine, while walking six. Jaguar southpaw Hannah Campbell fell to 5-2, giving up three earned runs, five hits, five walks and striking out one.
 
Molly Fichtner led UA at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double in the third inning that scored three runs. Kaila Hunt drew two walks, hit once and scored a run.
 
For USA, Britany Campbell, Julie Moss and Stephanie Pilkington each went 1-for-3, while Brittany Fowler drew two walks on the night.
 
Contrary to its standard throughout the past 12 games, the Jaguars were searching all night for the hit that would break it open, as the club left nine runners stranded, eight of those in scoring position (at second or third base).
 
“The story of the night was they took care of their opportunities and we didn’t take care of ours,” said USA seventh-year head coach, Becky Clark. “I thought we stepped on the field ready to compete; I thought we were locked in, and we weren’t trying to do too much. There are windows of opportunity in every game, and, tonight, they took care of theirs, and we didn’t.”
 
USA leadoff hitter Stephanie Pilkington reached on an error by Alabama’s first baseman, and Blair Johnson sacrificed herself with a bunt that moved Pilkington to second to lift the lid on the frigid Thursday evening affair at Rhoads Stadium.
 
Brittany Fowler walked to mark the 15^th game in which she has reached base in as many games this year. Both runners advanced on a Traina wild pitch, but the Tide ace recorded her first of nine strikeouts on the night to close the door.
 
A wild pitch by H. Campbell on the other end scored UA’s first run when Haylie McCleney crossed the plate after walking, stealing second and advancing to third on an Alex Breeden throwing error.
 
B. Campbell doubled with a bunt that bounced off the outstretched arm of Alabama third baseman Danielle Richard, and Pilkington walked to put two on for the visitors at the top of the third. After two Traina strikeouts, Meghan Collins, tied for the Jaguar team lead in RBI this season, cracked a low shot up the middle, destined for the outfield; however, ‘Bama second baseman Kaila Hunt made a diving grab and flipped the ball from her glove to shortstop Danae Hays at second for the force out.
 
With the momentum, Alabama extended its lead to 4-0 on Fichtner’s double that scored Hunt (walk) and Traina (hit by pitch).
 
Traina retired the next six USA batters before the visitors put two more on in the top of the sixth when Fowler and Collins both walked.
 
USA registered two of its three hits with its back against the wall in the top of the final frame when the Jags loaded the bases on a Moss single, Kaitlyn Griffith walk and Pilkington single, but Johnson flied out to left field and pinch-hitter Alyssa Linn struck out swinging to end the contest.
 
“This is a learning process, and I pointed that out to our team,” added Clark. “This is the top team in the nation, and we had our chances to beat them. We have very tough teams in our conference, so I think this was good for us: to see what we need to do to win big games.”
 
USA next takes on Murray State (twice), UAB and Samford at the Magic City Classic in Birmingham this weekend. The Jaguars will open their fourth tournament of the 2013 campaign on Friday with a 12:15 p.m. matchup versus Murray State.
 
Results from the Magic City Classic will be posted to the Jaguar athletics webpage immediately following each game. Live stats can be found via the USA softball schedule page shortly before first pitch of each game. Followers of Jaguar softball’s Twitter account, @SAJagsSftball, will be given live updates at the conclusion of each half-inning.
 
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).