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MOBILE, Ala. – No. 22 University of South Alabama softball's seven-game winning streak came to an end on Friday at the 2015 South Alabama Invitational after Chattanooga left-handed pitcher Cori Jennings held the Jaguars to a single run, with the hosts stranding nine total base runners, as the Mocs won, 3-1.
 
Jennings (2-1) struck out five and allowed only one run (earned) on seven hits, while walking four. The Jaguars jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but left five runners on over the final three frames, failing to regulate Jennings's off-speed throughout the contest.
 
"[Jennings] had a legitimate off-speed pitch, and we had a hard time adjusting to it," said USA head coach Becky Clark. "We had some good at bats, but had a hard time stringing them together."
 
The Mocs (8-4) went ahead in the top of the fourth inning on Criket Blanco's two-run shot, which plated Nicole Osterman, who drew a one-out walk off USA starter Devin Brown (4-2). Osterman then homered in the top of the sixth to add insurance for Chattanooga.
 
Brown took the loss after giving up three runs (earned) on as many hits, striking out nine to a season-high-tying five walks in 5 1/3 innings. Classmate Kalen McGill pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief, striking out one and allowing a single hit.
 
"We also need to figure out the walks," Clark added. "You can't give up a walk and a home run, because that hurts us.
 
"We've been hot, so we want to come in tomorrow and have a better day," she concluded.
 
USA sophomore catcher Chloe Rathburn delivered her team-leading 11^th RBI of the year to put the Jags up a run in the opening frame when she singled to plate junior third baseman Emily Messer, who walked and advanced to second on an illegal pitch.
 
The Jaguars threatened in the bottom of the fifth when Messer drew a one-out walk, and sophomore right fielder Amanda Minahan singled, but the chance was diminished after a pair of USA groundouts.
 
Senior shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith and freshman Kristian Foster supplied two-out singles an inning later, but freshman Taylor Bahos struck out looking to end the opportunity.
 
Blanco was 2-for-3 on the night with two RBI and a run scored, and Osterman scored a pair of runs with one RBI.
 
Messer drew three walks on the night, tying a USA game record, while going 1-for-1 with a run. Griffith was 2-for-3, while Minahan, Rathburn, Foster and junior center fielder Stephanie Pilkington each had a hit. Pilkington reached for the 11^th time in as many games this season.
 
South Alabama looks to erase Friday's result with a pair of contests on Saturday, the first versus Ball State at 1:30 p.m. and the second against Sam Houston State at 6 p.m.
 
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).