April 3, 2008

Box Score

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning in getting past Southern Miss, 2-0, Thursday night at the USM Softball Complex.

Meghan Harbuck (2-6) took the loss, giving up six hits, while Donna Bourgeois (6-2) got the win. She and Donna Cuevas combined for the two hit shutout.

Brittney Pigott and Megan Hill recorded the Lady Eagles hits, both singles.

"It was nice to see Meghan Harbuck come out and throw a good game, because We've been fighting for that next pitcher to come in and throw for us after Sam," head coach Howard Dobson. "She held them to a shutout until the fifth inning, but that was after a leadoff walk and a batched play where we should have gotten an out. It's too bad whenever our pitchers throw well out hitting is non existence. It's the same re-occurring thing with our offense and we have to figure that out."

Southern Miss threatened in the bottom of the first when Hill drew a walk then advanced to second on a sac bunt by Kristin Chaney. She reached third on a wild pitch. Brittany Cuevas retired the next two batters.

The Ragin Cajuns threatened in the top of the fourth, getting their first two batters on base with back-to-back singles. After advancing to second and third on a sac bunt, Brooke Brodhead lined out to short and Lana Bowers grounded out to the short to end the inning.

Both teams were scoreless through the first four innings with a combined five hits between the two teams. In the fifth, Lafayette got its leadoff batter on with a walk and advance to second on a fielder's choice. With runners at first and second, Vallie Gaspard advanced both runners to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Katie Smith then hit a single just past third base to score Gabriele Bridges. Holly Tankersley followed with a hit down the left field line to plate Kelly Cormier.

"We have to do a better job of making adjustments and do a better job of hitting," Dobson said. "Our pitchers are throwing well. We've lost some close games where our hitting was no where to be found. We will get back to work and try it again next week."

Southern Miss had one last chance to put runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh when pincher hitter Brandy Alonzo reached base with a walk, then Hill singled down the left field line, but Bourgeois struck out Chaney to end the game.

Southern Miss stranded eight runners on the night, while Lafayette left five on base.

The Lady Eagles return to action on April 10, when they travel to Oxford, Miss., to face Ole Miss in a mid-week game before heading to Memphis, April 12-13, for a C-USA weekend series.