(Photo Courtesy of South Alabama Athletics)
ORLANDO, Fla. – No. 19 University of South Alabama softball’s Amanda Minahan crushed a two-out liner in the bottom of the seventh that No. 17 Georgia’s Alex Hugo couldn’t corral, and Bulldog Paige Wilson’s throwing attempt to first went straight into the dirt, allowing Jaguar pinch-runner Gwen Jones to round home and secure a 3-2 USA win over UGA on Sunday at the 2014 Citrus Classic, hosted by Diamond 9 Events at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.
The Jaguars finish the tournament with four wins in as many games, moving to 11-1 on the year and 3-0 versus ranked opponents.
USA junior Blair Johnson delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to give South Alabama a 2-1 lead after the Bulldogs scratched a run across in the opening frame. UGA knotted scoring at 2-2 in the top of the sixth before Minahan’s hit in the last inning allowed Jones the chance to win the game.
UGA (11-1), which took its first loss of the year, outhit South Alabama, 6-3, on the day, but erred twice. UGA left 10 runners on base to USA’s six.
Starter Hannah Campbell Struck out five batters and allowed six hits and two runs (earned) to three walks in six innings of work. Farish Beard moved to 6-1 on the year with her win, entering the game when the score was tied, after striking out two to two walks in one inning of relief.
UGA’s Chelsea Wilkinson took her first loss of the year, falling to 7-1 after giving up her first runs of the year. She struck out seven on the day to four walks and gave up all three runs (two earned).
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Hugo singled up the middle to score Anna Swafford, who previously singled.
Johnson put USA up, 2-1, in the bottom of the first when she ripped a one-out two-RBI homer to right field, scoring Pilkington who drew a leadoff walk. The two RBI gave Johnson eight total on the weekend. She hung four RBI on Lehigh on Saturday, tying the program’s single-game best.
Georgia tied the game, 2-2, in the top of the sixth when pinch-hitter Tina Iosefa delivered an RBI single that plated Adele Harrison, pinch-running for catcher Katie Browne, who singled before.
USA loaded the bags in the bottom of the sixth with two outs when Kaitlyn Griffith was hit by a pitch, Chloe Rathburn doubled and Alex Breeden was walked intentionally, but Wilkinson struck out freshman Taylor Rodgers to keep the score level.
Beard entered the circle in the top of the seventh and immediately walked two batters before striking out two and forcing a foul out.
USA junior designated player Amanda Herron drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh, Jones entering to pinch run for her. Jones was pushed to second on Emily Messer’s sacrifice bunt, and Jones rounded home to end the game on Minahan’s laser and the subsequent UGA throwing error.
On the weekend, USA batted .343 to opponents’ .215. The Jaguars outscored opponents, 32-12, and outhit them, 36-23. USA slugged .514 as a team and recorded an overall on-base percentage of .442. Johnson led at the plate, going 9-for-13 (.692) with eight RBI, five runs scored, a 1.154 slugging percentage and .643 on-base percentage.
Hannah Campbell was 2-0 in the circle with 15 total strikeouts on the weekend, two runs allowed (earned) and only five walks allowed in 14 1/3 innings pitched for a 0.98 ERA. Farish Beard was 1-0 with 11 strikeouts and one run allowed (earned) to only three walks in eight innings pitched.
USA travels to Nicholls State on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for a midweek clash in Thibodaux, La.
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).
