MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama Softball team split its Sun Belt Conference doubleheader versus FIU Sunday at Jaguar Field, falling 10-5 in the opener, but rallying to take the finale 5-4.
The Jaguars moved 19-22 and 6-10 in league play, while FIU improved to 33-16 and 13-6 in the conference.
"We battled all weekend," USA head coach Becky Clark said. "I give the girls a ton of credit because we continued to compete and work together as a team. Being able to finish up this series with a win is a huge confidence booster going into our games against western Kentucky next weekend."
Freshman pitcher Morgan Druhan went a total of six innings in the circle, allowing nine hits and seven runs, while striking out seven. Katy Neal (4-2) relieved Druhan in the sixth inning, pitching one inning and allowed three hits and three runs before Druhan re-entered.
Kasey Barett went the distance in the circle for FIU allowing four hits, three runs and striking out 15 Jaguar batters.
Ashley McClain and Jessey Alfonso led the Golden Panther offense. McClain went 3-for-5 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in three. Alfonso was perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and scored three runs of her own and drove in one as well.
FIU jumped out to an early lead scoring four runs on three hits in the first. Alfonso hit a lead-off single. One batter later, McClain singled to left plating Alfonso. Brie Rojas then popped up to second driving in Beth Peller who had walked earlier in the inning. Jenny Welch then walked and stole second to put runners in scoring position. Jennifer Gniadek followed with a single up the middle driving in Welch and McClain - giving FIU a 4-0 lead.
The Jaguars got on the board in bottom half of the inning. Brittany Fowler, Christin Crocker and Haley Hopkins were all hit by a pitch to load the bases. Marissa Boyd then drove in USA's first run on a fielder's choice to plate Fowler.
After three scoreless innings, the Jags rallied to take the lead in fifth. With two outs Volz singled up the middle. Fowler then followed with a double up the middle advancing Volz, who later scored on a wild pitch. Crocker then reached on an infield single that brought in Fowler to cut FIU's lead in half. After Hopkins reached on a fielding error, Marissa Boyd struck out but reached on a third-strike wild pitch to load the bases. Meghan Collins then doubled to right driving in Crocker and Hopkins - giving USA the 5-4 advantage.
The Golden Panthers answered right back in the sixth with a pair of runs to retake the lead. McClain singled up the middle to bring in Alfonso, who walked to begin the inning. McClain then stole second and advanced to third on a pass ball. USA looked as if it were going to get out of the inning surrendering just one run, but Lauren Spiers reached on a Jaguar throwing error, allowing McClain to score an unearned run.
FIU tacked on four insurance runs in the top of the seventh coming on RBI singles from McClain and Jenny Welch and multi-base hits from Beth Peller and Alfonso.
In the second game of the doubleheader Britany Campbell's three-run double in the seventh lifted the Jags to a 5-4 victory over FIU.
The Jaguars rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Collins led-off the inning with an infield single. With one out in the inning, Kamee Vessey reached on an error. FIU then intentionally walked Fowler to load the bases setting the stage for Campbell. The freshman centerfielder then lined a double to right, clearing the bases and giving South Alabama the 5-4 advantage.
Fowler led USA at the plate going 2-for-3 and scoring twice. Campbell also contributed with a 2-for-4 performance, scoring two and driving in three. Hopkins also had multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 and driving in her team leading 29th RBI.
Beth Pilgrim (14-11) earned the win for the Jags after going the distance for the 16th time this season. The Cantonment, Fla. native allowed nine hits and four runs, while striking out nine.
Gniadek (13-6) took the loss for the Golden Panthers in six innings of work, allowing nine hits and five runs - only two of which were earned. Gniadek also finished the afternoon with five strike outs.
FIU got on the board first in the top half of the opening inning. With the bases loaded, Welch walked, scoring Alfonso - who singled to begin the inning.
The Jags scored one run on two hits in the bottom half inning. Boyd and Collins hit back-to-back doubles. Vessey then reached on a fielder's choice, plating Julie Morton who pinch ran for Boyd.
The Golden Panthers added a run in the second when Peller doubled up the middle that scored Jackie Tetlow - who had singled to begin the inning.
FIU scored two more runs in the third on a two-run home run to center from Gniadek.
The Jags were able to get one run back and cut the Golden Panther lead to 4-2 in the fifth. Fowler doubled up the middle and Campbell grounded out to second advancing Fowler. Hopkins then followed with a base hit to drive in Fowler.
USA will play its final road series when they take on Western Kentucky in a three-game series over the weekend in Bowling Green, Ky. Game one of the doubleheader versus the Toppers is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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