GULF SHORES, Ala. — Amanda Minahan hit a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday to give South Alabama a 3-2 walk-off win over Houston in the final game of the 2015 Sand Dollar Classic.
The win improved the Jaguars to 3-2 in their opening weekend of the season.
Sunday: South Alabama 3, Houston 2
South Alabama trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh and had not recorded a hit in the game. Senior Kaitlyn Griffith opened the inning with a single through the left side, senior Alex Breeden followed with a single to right field, and senior Amanda Herron singled through the left side to load the bases.
Freshman Kaleigh Todd cut the deficit to 2-1 with an RBI groundout. With two outs and two runners on, Minahan, a sophomore, lined a double to left field to score both runners.
Freshman Devin Brown struck out 11 and allowed one earned run on six hits with three walks to improve to 2-1.
Friday: South Alabama 8, Liberty 0
Brown, a right-hander, made her first collegiate start and threw a one-hit shutout against Liberty for her first career win.
Junior outfielder Stephanie Pilkington and sophomore Chloe Rathburn each went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Todd, a second baseman, and senior outfielder Alyssa Linn each scored twice, and Herron, junior Emily Messer and freshman Haleigh Lowe each scored a run as the Jaguars collected 10 hits.
Saturday: Eastern Kentucky 1, South Alabama 0
Eastern Kentucky scored the game’s only run on a wild pitch by Brown in the fifth inning. South Alabama stranded nine runners.
Saturday: South Alabama 5, McNeese State 1
The Jaguars rebounded in the nightcap, outhitting McNeese State 7-5. Senior Farish Beard started in the circle, and relievers Kaleigh Floore, Kalen McGill and Brown followed. Brown earned her first career save.
Griffith went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, and Minahan went 2-for-3 and scored twice.
Up Next
South Alabama hosts the 2015 Mardi Gras Invitational at Jaguar Field, opening against Oklahoma State on Friday, Feb. 13. The Jaguars face Lipscomb and Butler on Saturday and close the weekend against Evansville.
