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MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshmen Haleigh Lowe and Kristian Foster combined for five RBI to lead the Jaguars to an 8-0, run-rule victory over Appalachian State on Sunday, as USA completed a Sun Belt Conference series sweep of the Mountaineers at Jaguar Field.
 
Lowe supplied a three-run home run, the first of her career, as part of a five-run Jaguar first inning, and Foster lifted a bases-loaded double to left center in the bottom of the fifth that scored a pair, before an Appalachian State throwing error allowed a third run to score to enact the mercy rule, USA's sixth of the abbreviated variety this year.
 
USA (21-6, 5-3 SBC) outhit Appalachian State (9-16, 0-9 SBC), 9-2, on the day and took advantage of a pair of Mountaineer errors. USA left six runners on base, while App State stranded four.
 
Lowe finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored in the contest, including a sacrifice bunt that put a pair of Jaguar runners in scoring position in the final frame. Foster came on as pinch-hitter to deliver the final blow.
 
Senior shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith and sophomore catcher Chloe Rathburn recorded an RBI and run scored apiece. Junior third baseman Emily Messer was1-for-1 with two walks and a run scored.
 
Senior right-hander Farish Beard earned her fourth victory in as many appearances since her return a week ago, moving to 4-1 after striking out five to two walks. Beard carried a no-hitter into the top of the fourth inning, before giving up two hits, but answered by retiring six of the final seven batters she faced.
 
Vanessa Ciocatto (3-6) suffered her second loss of the weekend on Sunday after giving up five runs (two earned) on three hits in one inning pitched. Katherine Johnson threw one inning of scoreless relief, giving up a hit and a walk, while Alissa Schoelkopf gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits over the final 2 1/3 innings.
 
South Alabama wasted no time offensively in the series finale, placing five runs on the board in the opening frame. Messer struck first, coming around on Rathburn's RBI single after leading off with an infield base hit. Griffith plated Pilkington with a sacrifice fly a batter later after the latter reached on a fielder's choice prior to Rathburn's hit.
 
Lowe then roped a two-out bomb to right field to score Rathburn and Johnson, who reached via Mountaineer error, for a 5-0 USA lead.
 
The Jaguars stranded five runners over the next three innings on three hits and a pair of walks before loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth on singles from Johnson and Griffith and senior first baseman Amanda Herron's walk. Foster, pinch-hitting for classmate Kaleigh Todd, lined to the gap in left center to easily score Griffith and senior Gwen Jones, who pinch-ran for Johnson.
 
Appalachian State shortstop Cara Parker then mishandled a throwing attempt during the relay from the outfield, which allowed Herron time to cross home plate.
 
South Alabama travels to face top-ranked LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Tuesday, March 24. The game will be broadcast by SEC Network+. Links to live stats, ticket information and live video can be found by accessing the Jaguar softball schedule page. In-game Twitter updates are provided via the program's official handle, @USAJagsSoftball.
 
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).