College Softball News

NO. 19 JAGUARS GO THE DISTANCE TO DOWN UAB ON WEDNESDAY

(Photo Courtesy of South Alabama Athletics)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – No. 19 University of South Alabama softball defeated UAB, 2-1, in an 11-inning pitcher’s duel on Wednesday at UAB Softball Field in Birmingham, Ala.

Both teams combined to leave 19 runners on base off 17 hits, and each club used two pitchers in a contest that tied for USA’s longest-ever. USA (7-1) went down 1-0 in the fourth inning, but freshman right fielder Amanda Minahan delivered a two-out game-tying RBI in the seventh inning to send the contest to extras.

USA junior catcher Alex Breeden then forced UAB (3-7) shortstop Caitlin Attfield into an errant throw to first on a routine grounder that allowed Kaitlyn Griffith to score the eventual game-winning run.

The contest was a far cry from the teams’ season-opening clash at the 2014 Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile, Ala., which resulted in an 8-0 USA victory that ended in five-inning, run-rule fashion.

“This was the matchup people were looking for in opening night – a pitcher’s night,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “All four pitchers were sharp; there wasn’t a lot of offense, because there was good pitching and good defense. It was a great game.

“I was proud of our freshmen tonight,” Clark added. “They stepped up. Taylor Rodgers had some great at-bats. Minahan, Chloe [Rathburn] and those guys stepped up. They’ve been working really hard, and I’m proud of them.”

USA moves to 7-1 on the year. The Jaguars travel to Orlando, Fla., this weekend for five bouts at the Diamond 9 Classic at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

Farish Beard (4-1) earned the win in the circle after striking out seven UAB batters in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Hannah Campbell didn’t factor into the decision, the senior going 7 1/3, striking out five and allowing one run (earned) and no walks.

UAB’s Lannah Campbell took the loss for the Blazers, falling to 0-3 on the season after striking out two and giving up the game-winning run (unearned). Leigh Streetman started for the Blazers and went 6 2/3 innings, striking out six and allowing no walks.

UAB outhit the Jaguars, 9-8, on Wednesday but erred twice opposed to USA’s one hiccup.

The hosts jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth by way of Mary McGrath’s RBI double to right field, which plated Danii Fernandez, pinch-running for Kristen McGrath, who previously doubled.

With two outs in the top of the seventh and Alyssa Linn, pinch-running for Chloe Rathburn after the Californian’s double, on second base, Minahan doubled in a long at-bat to scratch across the tying run. UAB head coach Marla Townsend subsequently exchanged Streetman for Campbell.

After USA left two runners stranded in the top of the eighth, UAB placed two runners on before Campbell was pulled in favor of Beard. The junior walked her first batter to load the bases before escaping the jam by forcing a pop out and claiming her first strikeout.

Griffith took a pitch straight between the numbers on the back of her uniform with one out in the top of the 11th. Rathburn advanced Griffith to second on a groundout, and Breeden belted a two-out chopper to Attfield in the six-hole, the shortstop then throwing out of reach at first base to allow Griffith home.

Beard retired UAB’s last three batters in order to end the contest and preserve her 0.00 ERA.

It was the longest game for USA since 2010, when the Jaguars went the same distance to defeat Troy, 3-2, at Jaguar Field. South Alabama moved to 9-2 all-time versus the Blazers, now having won the past six straight meetings. USA is now 16-1 in its last 17 away games, dating back to the 2013 season.

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).

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