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MOBILE, Ala. – No. 23 University of South Alabama softball carried a 1-0 lead over No. 3 Alabama into the top of the seventh inning, but Chandler Dare's single and a subsequent Jaguar fielding error allowed two runs to score to put the Crimson Tide ahead, 2-1, for good, spoiling USA's season opener at home in front of a capacity crowd at Jaguar Field on Thursday.
 
South Alabama (0-1) senior right-hander Farish Beard, who ultimately suffered just the 10^th loss of her career, had allowed only a single Alabama (1-0) hit in six and one-third innings before Demi Turner got on with a bunt single, stealing second before Tide All-American Haylie McCleney drew a walk to set Dare up for the decisive hit.
 
Sophomore Chloe Rathburn put the Jaguars ahead in the bottom of the third inning with a two-out RBI single up the middle that scored freshman Kaleigh Todd, who drew a one-out walk and stole second.
 
"That was a great game, and it was great for the fans," said Jaguar head coach Becky Clark. "You want to see your kids battle, and that's what they did – they're competitors – but, at the same time, we've got to execute. That's a game that we easily could've won if we had executed. I think they know that.
 
"This game doesn't make or break our season," Clark added. "We're just getting started. Early on, as a head coach, it makes you feel good about things to see your kids battle like that against a good program. We left the bases loaded, and we left runners in scoring position, so we've just got to execute."
 
Alabama moves to 11-0 versus South Alabama in the teams' all-time series.
 
Alabama starter Leslie Jury went five and one-third innings, allowing one run (earned) on four hits and striking out five to three walks, before being replaced by Alexis Osorio (1-0), who earned the win after striking out four of the seven Jaguar batters she faced.
 
Beard (0-1) allowed only three hits on the night, while striking out six to a pair of walks and runs, one earned.
 
Rathburn led the Jaguars at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Stephanie Pilkington and Amanda Herron had one hit apiece.
 
Dare, Turner and Chaunsey Bell each recorded hits for Alabama.
 
USA returns to action this weekend when it travels to Gulf Shores, Ala., to take part in the Sand Dollar Classic, in which it faces Liberty on Friday at 6 p.m., Eastern Kentucky and McNeese State on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, and Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Live stats and in-game updates via the program's official Twitter @USAJagsSoftball will be provided throughout the tournament.

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).