Box Score - South Alabama 8, Alabama State 0.pdf
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MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama softball team erupted for six runs on six hits in the fourth inning and Savanna Mayo blasted a home run off the scoreboard in left center in the next inning to give the Jags a 8-0 five-inning victory over Alabama State  at the 2017 Sand Dollar Classic held at Jaguar Field.  

"The thing that I'm most please about today is that I thought that we played a complete game," South Alabama head coach Becky Clark said.  "Coming of what I felt like was an emotional win [over Jacksonville State] and to come out today and be able to lock in and not have any hangover from that game was the biggest thing for us.  There were one or two small things that happened [today], but other than that it was a 100 percent complete game for us."

For their play this weekend, five Jaguars were named to the Sand Dollar Classic all-tournament team – Devin Brown, Destin Vicknair, Kaleigh Todd, Amanda Minahan and Kristian Foster.  

South Alabama (5-0) will head out on the road for a midweek contest against in-state Southeastern Conference foe Alabama on Wednesday.  First pitch versus the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide is set for 5 p.m. at Rhoads Stadium and the game is scheduled to aired on the SEC+ Network and on the radio on 99.5 The Jag.

Offensively, South had three players record multiple hits at the plate in the win.  Mayo was 2-for-2 with a walk and the homer, while Foster and Haleigh Lane were each 2-for-3.  Todd reached base all three of her plate appearances, recording a hit and a pair of walks.  Minahan continued her outstanding production as she had a team-best four RBI, which tied a career best for the senior outfielder.  She now has a team-high nine on the young season.

Of the Jaguars' 10 hits, five were for extra bases and South Alabama had the lead-off batter reach base in all five innings.

"We got a ton of quality at-bats today," Clark said.  "We weren't over-swinging at stuff and we were able to hit a lot of balls hard the other way.  We used the middle of the field a lot and I'm pretty sure that most all of our extra-base hits that drove in runs came from us using the middle of the field.  To see us be able to do that is huge.  We weren't trying to let our hands do too much and I was pleased with that."

As has it has been the entire weekend, USA once again received an outstanding performance in the circle from Vicknair (3-0).  The senior recorded her second-straight complete game shutout allowing just two hits and a walk, while striking out four.  

"I was happy with Vicknair's performance.  She's thrown a lot of innings this week and she came back today and pounded the zone," Clark added.  "I thought she did a great job.  Every time our pitchers have gone out there this season, they have given us a chance to win."

As a staff, South Alabama has allowed just one earned run through its first five outings and holds a 0.21 team earned-run-average.  The Jags are also holding opponents to a .151 batting average during that time.

Alabama State (1-4) was led at the plate by Therese Byrne and Kendall Core who each went 1-for-2.  Justine Jean took the loss for the Hornets falling to 0-1 on the year.  Jean allowed eight runs – all earned – on 10 hits, while also surrendering four walks and registering just one strikeout.

The Jaguars got on the board first by manufacturing a run as Todd scored on a sac fly to center by Minahan.  Todd led off with a single back up the middle and then stole second – her fifth swipe of the weekend – to move into scoring position.  MC Nichols then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Todd to third before sliding home on Minahan's RBI to give USA the 1-0 advantage.

South put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth as they rattled off six runs on six hits – four of which went for extra bases.  Mayo got the scoring going with a RBI double, plating Lane who had also doubled to lead off the frame.  Aly Smith then followed with a run-scoring single to left and after a walk by Todd loaded the base, Minahan stepped to the plate and drove in three more with a triple to center.  Abby Krzywiecki capped off the scoring in the inning with a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Minahan and give USA a 7-0 advantage.

After Vicknair retired the Hornets in the top of the frame, Mayo wasted little time sending the Jags home with the win as she took a 1-0 pitch from Jean high off the scoreboard in left center to end the game and give South the 8-0 win.  

The home run was the third of Mayo's career and her first since Feb. 26 of last season against Bowling Green.  It was also the first walk-off home run by a Jaguar since Minahan did so with a two-run shot last season against Kennesaw State (4/30).

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Devin Brown (USA)
Destin Vicknair (USA)
Kaleigh Todd (USA)
Amanda Minahan (USA)
Kristian Foster (USA)
Jamie McGuire (JSU)
Whitney Gillespie (JSU)
Perry Hindi (ASU)

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).

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