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MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball scored nine runs on 12 hits and took advantage of three Southern Miss errors on Wednesday, as the Jaguars defeated the Eagles, 9-1, in six innings by way of the run rule in the teams' first meeting since 2012.
 
USA (18-6, 2-3 SBC) moves to 16-3 versus non-conference opponents this season and 9-4 at Jaguar Field. The Jaguars extend their all-time series lead versus the Eagles (15-11, 1-5 CUSA) to 9-3-1, 6-2 in Mobile.
 
Eight of USA's nine starters recorded a hit and junior third baseman Emily Messer, and sophomores Amanda Minahan and Chloe Rathburn tallied two apiece, as the Jags outhit Southern Miss, 12-2, on the night.
 
Messer finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored, Minahan was 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored and Rathburn was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
 
Jaguar senior right-hander Farish Beard recorded her second victory in her second appearance since Feb. 7, striking out six to one walk and allowing only one run (earned) on a pair of USM hits. Following her return last Sunday versus Louisiana-Monroe, Beard has struck out 18 in her last 13 innings and allowed only a pair of runs in the span.
 
"Overall, tonight was a great team win," said USA head coach Becky Clark. "We had a couple of two-out hits that kept us going, and we scored in all but one inning. Our thing right now is playing hard and with more consistency, and I think we did that tonight. We'll just try to keep that rolling into the [Sun Belt Conference] weekend."
 
Southern Miss jumped ahead, 1-0, in the top of the first when left fielder Selena Estrada lifted a one-out solo home run to left field, but the Jags pegged back in the bottom half when Messer scored on an Eagle fielding error. The Mobile, Ala., native led the inning off with an infield single, advanced to second on a wild Shelbee Rodgers pitch and came around when USM catcher Bailey Stokes mishandled right fielder Samantha Reynolds's throw home, which was initiated by Jag junior Stephanie Pilkington's single.
 
USA tacked on a run apiece in the second and third frames to go ahead, 3-1, with senior left fielder Blair Johnson scoring in the former on freshman Haleigh Lowe's single up the middle and Minahan coming around in the latter by way of a second Southern Miss fielding error off the bat of senior shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith.
 
The Jaguars broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Freshman Kaleigh Todd came on to pinch hit for classmate Kristian Foster, who delivered a sacrifice bunt that placed Johnson in scoring position in the second, and led the inning off with a bunt single. Senior first baseman Amanda Herron followed with a double to right center to put a pair of USA runners in scoring position.
 
Messer drew a walk to load the bags a batter later, before Minahan singled to score Todd and senior Alyssa Linn, who pinch ran for Herron at second, to push USA's lead to 5-1. Pilkington then supplied a sacrifice fly to left center to score Messer, and Rathburn roped one to left center to score Minahan for a 7-1 Jaguar lead after four complete.
 
Beard worked around a leadoff walk to Southern Miss shortstop Mallory Hayden by striking out a pair, before Rathburn threw pinch-runner Rachel Johnson out at second on a steal attempt.
 
USA put up two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete its fifth run-rule victory this season. Lowe reached on a third Eagle fielding error, and Messer reached for a third time in the contest with a bunt single. After Minahan and Pilkington flied out and popped out, respectively, Rathburn singled to right field to score Lowe. Griffith then singled to the opposite field to plate Messer and cap the win.
 
Rathburn recorded her ninth multiple-hit and eighth multiple-RBI performances, both team-leading figures. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has currently reached safely in 11 straight ball games. Messer's three runs establish a new single-game career high.
 
Beard's victory Wednesday was the 54^th of her career, which stands as the second most in South Alabama program history.
 
The Jaguars return to league action this weekend when they host conference newcomer Appalachian State. A Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. precedes Sunday's 1 p.m. finale. Please be aware that schedule changes could occur due to expected weather. Visit USAJaguars.com throughout the week for any further details.
 
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).