Softball Wins Second Game of the Day at the K-Club Invitational :: The Southern Miss (5-2) offense struck early and often, with two runs in the first and one run in the second, third, and fifth to control the game early. They also added two runs in the seventh to put the game away.

The Southern Miss (5-2) offense struck early and often, with two runs in the first and one run in the second, third, and fifth to control the game early. They also added two runs in the seventh to put the game away.

Feb. 15, 2008

Box Score: Southern Miss vs. EKU

KENNESAW, Ga.- - The University of Southern Mississippi picked up their second win of the day, a 7-2 victory over Eastern Kentucky University at the K-Club Invitational on the campus of Kennesaw State University.

The Golden Eagles defeated Appalachian State in the first game of the day, 6-2.

"This early in the season you take wins any way you can get them," head coach Howard Dobson said." "It was nice to see our pitchers come out and do some things today and out hitters did a good job making adjustments at the plate."

For the second consecutive game the Golden Eagles got a quality start from their starting pitcher. Samantha Davis (1-1) threw a complete game eight-hitter, allowing only one earned run on the afternoon.

"Samantha Davis did a good job today, she only allowed one leadoff runner on all game, and when you do things like that you can scatter some hits throughout the game," Dobson added.

Southern Miss wasted no time scoring in the top of the first as Megan Hill doubled in Holly Milner and Kristin Pilgrim for an early 2-0 lead.

The Lady Eagles struck again in the top of the second this time on an RBI double by Brandi Alonzo, scoring Brittney Jones from first base after her single to right field.

EKU (0-1) scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the second on Pam Webber's RBI single, scoring Michelle Lerner who hit a two-out double to reach scoring position.

Southern Miss answered the Colonels in the top of the third when Kristin Pilgrim took the first pitch of the inning and drove it over the left-centerfield wall for a solo homerun and a 3-1 lead.

In the Bottom of the third, EKU's first two batters reached on walks to start the inning and after an infield single Southern Miss pitcher Samantha Davis found herself in a bases loaded, no-outs jam. She was able to get a ground ball to first base by Kattie Rolf which turned into a force out at the plate. Davis then popped up Erin Lunter to shallow center field, not deep enough to get the run across, for the second out of the inning. An errand throw on a pick off attempt at first base by catcher Kristin Pilgrim allowed Shyenne Hussy to score from third base for an unearned run before Davis struck out Michelle Lerner for the final out of the inning.

For the fourth consecutive inning the Golden Eagles was able to score a run, this time it was a solo home run by sophomore infielder Lauren Castellvi to left-centerfield for a 5-2 lead.

The Southern Miss offense was not done as they added two more run in the top of the seventh for extra insurance. Alonzo picked up her third hit of the game on a single to right field and scored on Kristin Pilgrim's second hit of the day, a two-out double to right field. Jennifer Fox followed with a double to left field to score Pilgrim and give the Golden Eagles a 7-2 lead.

"All-in-all it was two good wins for us and we have to come back out tomorrow and continue the momentum," Dobson said.

Southern Miss will continue play in the K-Club Classic tomorrow afternoon at 12 noon vs. host team Kennesaw State. That game will be followed by a consolation game at 2:00 p.m. and a winners bracket game at 4:00 p.m.

-southernmiss.com-