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MOBILE, Ala. – Down 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Mississippi State loaded the bases on three successive hits, but No. 15 University of South Alabama softball closer Hannah Campbell retired three straight Bulldog batters to secure a 3-2 USA victory at Jaguar Field on Wednesday.
 
Heidi Shape's sacrifice fly brought MSU a run away from equalizing before Campbell forced a groundout and fly out to register her fourth save of the year. USA starter Farish Beard (17-3) earned the win after pitching four innings of shutout ball, striking out three to a pair of walks and allowing only two hits.
 
USA recovers from back-to-back losses last weekend to move to 31-6 overall and 13-0 at home this season. With the victory, the Jaguars go ahead of MSU in the all-time series, 3-2, now having won the past three meetings.
 
South Alabama's victory on Wednesday marked its third over a Southeastern Conference opponent this season, following defeats of LSU and Georgia earlier this season.
 
Mississippi State falls to 30-13 on the year. Starter Allison Owen (15-8) took the loss after giving up all three USA runs (earned) on four hits, while striking out a pair to no walks. Alexis Silkwood threw four innings of relief and gave up only one hit while striking out four to one walk.
 
USA scored all three of its run in the bottom of the second, behind Amanda Herron's two-run homer, her third of the year, which also plated Alyssa Linn, who pinch-ran for Alex Breeden after the latter delivered a one-out double to left field.
 
Taylor Rodgers scored South Alabama's third run after reaching on a hit by pitch and rounding home on Stephanie Pilkington's two-out RBI single up the middle.
 
Pilkington went 2-for 3 to lead the Jaguars, while Chloe Rathburn, Breeden and Herron each added hit apiece, as USA registered five hits, similar to the Bulldogs.
 
MSU's first run came by way of a Jaguar error in the top of the fifth inning. Campbell hit the first batter she faced, Bulldog center fielder Loryn Nichols, who rounded home on Breeden's throw wide of first on Jessica Offutt's sacrifice bunt attempt, which landed inches off the plate.
 
Offutt reached third base on the play after Nichols made it 3-1. Campbell then retired the next six Bulldog batters she faced, until Kayla Winkfield, Nichols and Offutt all singled to lead off the final frame. Shape lifted a sacrifice to right field that allowed Winkfield to score before Campbell shut the door.
 
USA travels to No. 18/20 Louisiana-Lafayette this weekend for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series. A Saturday doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. precludes Sunday's game three, which is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Saturday's games will be broadcasted on ESPN3. Links to watch can be found on the Jaguar softball schedule page.
 
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).