Box Score SAN MARCOS, Texas – No. 11 University of South Alabama softball left 10 runners stranded in its 4-3 loss to Texas State on Sunday in San Marcos, as the Bobcats clinched the Sun Belt Conference series after the teams split two games on Saturday.
USA falls to 30-6 on the year and 8-2 in SBC play, while the Bobcats move to 21-20 overall and 4-5 in the league.
After defeating Texas, 8-0, in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, USA dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bobcats, who entered the series 19-19 overall and 2-4 in league play. The Jaguars' Sunday defeat marked the first back-to-back losses for USA since March 9-10, 2013.
Three lead changes occurred in Sunday's contest, which began with the hosts taking a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. Singles from leadoff Kelli Baker and Courtney Harris allowed the first to cross home plate for an early host advantage.
USA freshman second baseman Taylor Rodgers opened her USA home run account with a two-run shot in the top of the fourth that gave the Jaguars a 2-1 lead, but it was short-lived, as the hosts tacked three on in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead.
Jordan Masek scored on Baker's RBI single up the middle to even scoring at two-all, and designated player Kourtney Koroll delivered a two-RBI single that scored Baker and Courtney Harris to put the Bobcats ahead, 4-2.
The Jaguars put runners on the corners in the top of the sixth, but could not produce, and two more reached in the top of the seventh before an unconventional play ended the contest. After Alex Breeden reached on a two-out fielding error by Bobcat first baseman Kendall Wiley, Blair Johnson, who led off the frame with a single, scored to draw the Jags within one, but pinch-runner Alyssa Linn was thrown out at third to finish the game off.
USA left a pair of runners on in the first three innings and also the sixth frame.
Hannah Campbell took the loss for USA, falling to 12-3 after giving up six hits and four runs (all earned), while striking out five to four walks, which marks the most walks she's dealt since Feb. 28, 2013.
Rodgers led USA at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Johnson was 1-for-3 with a run scored, and Gwen Jones scored one run. USA was outhit, 6-5. Rayn House moved to 18-13 for Texas State after striking out three to seven walks and allowing three runs (two earned) and scattering five hits.
USA hosts Mississippi State on Wednesday, April 9, at Jaguar Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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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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