MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball scored six runs in the third inning and rode Devin Brown's season-high, 12-strikeout performance to cap the 2016 South Alabama Invitational with an 8-0, run-rule win over Dartmouth on Sunday.
 
The Jaguars (8-6) avenged their 12-7 Saturday loss to the Big Green (1-4) and snapped a two game losing streak, as USA pulled even to 2-2 on the weekend.
 
South Alabama concludes the tournament portion of its regular-season schedule next weekend when it travels to Gainesville, Fla., to take part in the Aquafina Invitational, hosted by Florida, where it faces Florida A&M, Illinois State, the host Gators and Florida International.
 
Brown's 12 strikeouts marked the second most she's ever thrown in a game, topping the previous season high of 11 that she's recorded four times this year and in three appearances prior to Sunday. The Mobile, Ala., native scattered four hits on the day, walked only one and fanned six of the final eight batters she faced.
 
Kaleigh Todd tied her career high in hits after leading USA on 3-for-4 hitting with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Emily Messer was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, and Alex Breeden drove in a pair of runs. Six Jaguars recorded hits on Sunday, as USA combined for nine total.
 
USA wasted no time jumping ahead in the contest, with Todd scoring Messer with a double down the left field line to put USA ahead, 1-0, in the first inning.
 
A six-run explosion in the bottom of the third gave USA a 7-0 lead, keyed by Breeden's two-run double to left field, which scored Haleigh Lane and Kristian Foster. Savanna Mayo scored USA's fourth run on a fielder's choice that allowed Paige Holmes to reach.
 
Messer's team-leading second triple of the year plated Holmes and Breeden for a 6-0 Jaguar lead, and Todd doubled for a second time to score Messer.
 
Stephanie Pilkington's RBI double to center field plated Todd, who singled and stole second, in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the mercy rule into effect.
 
Brown evened her record to 4-4 with the win. The sophomore now has 82 strikeouts in 50 total innings, and the shutout was her third this season in seven starts.
 
Dartmouth starter Lauren Stone fell to 0-2 on the year after allowing seven runs (all earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and as many walks in 2 2/3 innings. Reliever Breanna Ethridge gave up one run (earned) on three hits with six strikeouts and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
 
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).