Feb. 20, 2008

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Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss opened its home softball schedule in fine fashion here Wednesday night with a pair of five-inning 10-2 victories over Jackson State at the Softball Complex.

Southern Miss (8-3) opened with a victory at home for the fourth-straight season as they scored in every inning in game one against the Tigers.

"It's nice to be able to get a couple of wins," coach Howard Dobson said. "We had a chance to get some work out of our four pitchers."

After tallying a solo run in the first on a groundout by Jennifer Fox, the Lady Eagles added a pair of runs in the second on a Allison Bullard two-run double to make the score 3-0.

The Lady Eagles opened the game up in the third with five more tallies. After an error that enabled Fox to reach base with one out, Megan Hill singled before Logan James doubled in both runs. Brittney Jones was then hit by a pitch and Kristin Chaney followed with a RBI single.

Bullard then came to the plate after Chaney and reached base by a JSU error that allowed the final two runs of the frame to score.

Hill added her second homer of the season in the fourth, a two-run shot, to complete Southern Miss' scoring in the opening contest.

Lana Vaughn (2-1) allowed just one run over four innings on three hits and two walks to go along with seven strikeouts to garner the victory. JSU starter Jessica Villegas (0-4) allowed just three earned runs over four innings on a walk with strikeout to get tagged with the loss.

The Tigers scored solo runs in the fourth and fifth frames to account for their offense. Shannon Tillar delivered a run-scoring double in the fourth and Ebony Stevenson got credit for an RBI after reaching on a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the fifth.

"We had a chance to do some things and execute them," Dobson said. "But, we do need to do a better job with our intensity level. This was different than the game against Kennesaw State, but we have to be able to maintain that type of intensity in any game. We are a young team and it's still a learning process for us."

Bullard, Hill and James had two hits apiece. After surrendering a pair of runs in the opening inning of game two on a two-run double by JSU's Stevenson, the Lady Eagles rallied for four runs in both the second and third frames.

Southern Miss took advantage of three JSU walks and a hit batter in the second as they opened with a walk to James and Bullard got plunked by JSU starter Talley Brittanie. After a groundout to move up the runners, Brandi Alonzo drove in a run with a ground out and Holly Milner added an infield single which plated a run. The final two runs came courtesy of bases-loaded walks to both Hill and Lauren Castellvi.

Run-scoring singles in the third proved to be the scoring method for Southern Miss. Kristin Pilgrim got things going by knocking in two with her safety, while Hill and Fox each collected a RBI with their one-base hits.

Southern Miss completed the scoring in the fourth as Bullard's infield single produced a run and Alonzo added an RBI with a double.

Lady Eagle starter Meghan Harbuck (2-1) gave up both JSU runs on five hits and a walk over three innings with four strikeouts to earn the victory. Brittanie suffered the loss, allowing eight runs on four hits and nine walks over 2 2/3.

Fox tallied two of the seven hits.

The Lady Eagles return to the road and play in the 22nd annual Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, La., Saturday and Sunday. The Lady Eagles face Mississippi Valley State at 11 a.m., and Louisiana-Lafayette at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, and MVSU at 1 p.m., and UL at 3:30 p.m., Sunday.