GULF SHORES, Ala. – No. 25 University of South Alabama softball used a big seventh inning to cap its 7-3 victory over Lipscomb to start the 2016 Sand Dollar Classic, hosted by The Fieldhouse, being held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex this weekend.
 
The Jaguars play two Saturday – versus Ball State at 3 p.m. and Central Arkansas at 6 p.m.
 
Junior Destin Vicknair, in her first Division I start, struck out seven Bison batters to one walk, giving up three runs (one earned) in a complete-game effort. The Division II All-American scattered three runs and struck out four for four innings, before Lipscomb pieced together a three-spot in the fifth frame – aided by the first of three Jaguar errors.
 
"I was proud of [Destin] for the way that she pounded the strike zone, for changing speeds and keeping them off balance and for making big pitches when she needed to," said USA head coach Becky Clark. "We committed a couple of mental errors, but she hung in there."
 
Emily Messer led USA at the plate on 4-for-5 hitting and got on in all five of her plate appearances. Seven Jaguars combined for 10 hits, while freshmen Megan Harris and Haleigh Lane recorded a pair of RBI apiece.
 
"Offensively, we were aggressive on the bases, and that helped us in a couple of situations. We moved up a bag and then we got the big hit and were able to score," Clark said.
 
Harris came on as a pinch-hitter and drilled a two-run base hit to right single to push USA ahead, 4-0, in the fourth inning. Lipscomb responded by scoring three runs in the next half inning to cut the Jaguar lead to one. Back-to-back leadoff hits put runners on the corners, and Sarah Higgins scored on a groundout to Vicknair for the first run.
 
A passed ball allowed Riley Brown to reach third, and USA's second error let in the second run. With two outs on the board, Destinee Brewer – who reached on the error – scored on a wild pitch.
 
Lipscomb right-hander Kelly Young fanned a pair of Jags in the sixth inning; the right-hander finished with 10 strikeouts on the night. USA's third error put Lipscomb's Baylee Williams on third, but Vicknair forced a pair of foul pop ups in the bottom half to hold the Jag lead.
 
Stephanie Pilkington reached on a Lipscomb fielding error, and Kristian Foster walked to start the seventh inning. Lane's single scored Foster and Savanna Mayo midway through the inning to put USA up, 6-3, after Foster drew a walk and Mayo reached on a fielder's choice.
 
Lane came around from third for USA's final score on Kaleigh Todd's two-out bunt single.
 
"We were able to get time for some younger players tonight," Clark added. "They came up big and it was awesome to see. Overall, it was a great team win."
 
Messer's RBI single to right center put USA ahead in the second frame, and Lane followed with a base hit to score Amanda Minahan an inning later. Foster drew a pair of walks and scored a pair of runs on the night.
 
Young took her first loss of the season for Lipscomb after giving up seven runs (four earned) and walking six.

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).