MADIERA BEACH, Fla. – The University of South Alabama softball split a pair of games, defeating Iowa (3-2) on a walk-off double by Kennedy Cronan, and falling 3-2 to Miami (Ohio) on day two of THE Spring Games Saturday afternoon at R.O.C. Park.

UP NEXT
- South Alabama (5-15) will close out tournament action in Madiera Beach, Fla., on Sunday when the Jags take on Florida Atlantic at 12:30 p.m. (CT).

Date: 2/29
Place: R.O.C. Park (Madiera Beach, Fla.)

Game 1
Final Score: South Alabama 3, Iowa 2
Records: South Alabama (5-12), Iowa (13-4)

STANDOUT PERFORMERS
- MC Nichols reached base in three of her four plate appearances as she was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, a RBI and a pair of runs scored.
- Cronan also had a pair of hits, a double and a triple, and drove in two of South's three runs, including the game-winner.
- Lexi Hutchins (3-4) pitch 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit while also striking out a pair, picking up the win in relief.
- Nia Carter was one of two Hawkeyes to record a multi-hit game as she was 2-for-4 with a run driven in.
- Riley Sheehy was 2-for-2 and also drove in a run for Iowa.
- Allison Doocey (6-2) struck out 13 batters in her 6.1 innings in the circle.

GAME FACTS
- South Alabama struck first with a run in the bottom half of the opening frame. M. Nichols got on base with a lead-off walk and then came into score on Cronan's RBI triple to right (1-0).
- Sheehy reached on a bunt single to start the Iowa third and was moved into scoring position with a sacrifice punt, but Jaguar starter Jenna Hardy was able to get a pop out on the infield and a strikeout to end the inning.
- Hardy ran into some two-out trouble in the fourth as Kit Rocco singled back up the middle and Abby Lien walked. Ashley Hamilton then walked to load the bases and Sheey was hit by a 1-2 pitch to plate a run and tie the game at 1-1. Hardy was able to strike out pinch-hitter DoniRae Mayhew to prevent any further damage.
- Aralee Bogar laid down a bunt and reached on a two-base Jaguar throwing error to start the fifth for Iowa. She was then moved up to third on a sac bunt and scored one batter later on Carter's base-hit through the right side of the infield (2-1). Kalena Burns then lined a single to left and Lien was hit by a pitch to load the bases. However, Carter was called out at home trying to advance on a wild pitch after Kassidy Wilcox applied the tag.
- South Alabama answered back the next half inning with a run of its own to tie the game up at 2-2. Mackenzie Brasher reached on a two-base throwing error to start the inning and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. M. Nichols then tied the game as she dropped in a single in center, her second hit of the game, scoring Brasher.
- In the bottom of the seventh, M. Nichols reached on a fielder's choice. She then moved up two bases on a passed ball and a throwing error. With M. Nichols at third and one away, Cronan lifted a ball to left that fell in front of the Hawkeye outfielder allowing M. Nichols to cross the plate and give South the walk-off win.

NOTES
- The meeting with Iowa marked the first in the all-time series. It was also the third meeting by South this spring versus an opponent from the Big 10 Conference.
- The win snapped a nine-game skid by the Jaguars.
- It was also South Alabama's second walk-off win of the season.
- The multi-hit game marked the 22nd of M. Nichols career, tying her with Chloe Rathburn for 21st on the program's all-time list. It was also her fifth of the season and marked the 14th time in her last 15 games in which she has reached base safely.

Game 2
Final Score: Miami (Ohio) 3, South Alabama 2
Records: Miami [Ohio] (8-6), South Alabama (5-15)

STANDOUT PERFORMERS
- Brasher was the lone Jaguar to end the game with multiple hits as she was 2-for-3 with a RBI.
- Katelyn Gruich and Wilcox also scored runs for South Alabama.
- Miami (Ohio) was led at the plate by Morgan Lott and Holly Braska.
- Lott was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Braska had a pair of hits in her three at-bats and drove in two.
- Courtney Vierstra tossed two perfect innings of relief as she struck out four and picked up her second save of the spring.

GAME FACTS
- The Redhawks looked like they might break though in the scoring column first, but with a pair of runners on Riley Coyne singled deep in the hole at short, but Blaska got caught in a rundown and was tagged out at home.
- South Alabama had a scoring opportunity of its own in the top of the third as Brasher reached on a one-out single, stole second and was then moved to third on a ground out. Miami starter Taylor Rathe (1-1) was able to get an inning-ending ground ball out to short and keep the game scoreless.
- In the Jaguar fourth, South was able to score a pair of unearned runs to take a 2-0 lead. With runners at first and second after a single by Wilcox, Flynn reached on a fielding error when the ball went between Haeley Tran's legs at second allowing Katelyn Gruich to race around the bases and score from second (1-0). Caroline Nichols then drew a walk to load the bases and Brasher beat out an infield single to score Wilcox and give South a 2-0 advantage.
- Allie Cummins led off the bottom half of the fourth with a solo home run to left to cut the Jaguar lead in half (2-1).
- An inning later, Lott doubled to start the fifth and Hannah Obrey reached on a Jag throwing error to put runners at second and third. Cummins was then intentionally walked to load the bases and Blaska singled through the right side of the infield to score a pair runs and give the Redhawks the 3-2 lead.
- Vierstra then entered in relief and recorded a pair of perfect innings to pick up the save and clinch the one-run lead for Miami (Ohio).

NOTES
- The game versus the Redhawks marked the first between the two clubs.
- The multi-hit game was the fifth of the season for Brasher, which ties her with M. Nichols for the team lead in that category.
- Only two of the five total runs scored between the two teams were earned.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Becky Clark
- On Saturday's two games:
"We put things together in the Iowa game - good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. [Allie] Hughen pitched a good game against Miami [Ohio] and gave us a chance to win. The difference was we did not string the hits together and make the plays behind her when we needed to. We have to learn from today and take the things that factored into us getting the first win"

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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