MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama softball scored all three of its runs in the second inning and then survived a bases-loaded threat in the seventh to beat Mississippi State 3-2 on Wednesday evening at Jaguar Field.
Farish Beard earned the win, improving to 17-3 this season. Hannah Campbell finished the game in relief.
Three-Run Second Inning
Alex Breeden opened the scoring chance with a one-out double to left field, and Alyssa Linn entered to run for her. Amanda Herron followed with a two-run home run, her third of the season, to put South Alabama ahead 2-0.
Taylor Rodgers was then hit by a pitch and came around to score on a two-out RBI single by Stephanie Pilkington, making it 3-0.
Beard Blanks Bulldogs for Four Innings
Beard worked four scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three and walking two.
Mississippi State scored its first run in the top of the fifth on an error. Campbell hit the first batter she faced before retiring the next six Bulldogs in order.
Campbell Escapes Seventh-Inning Jam
Mississippi State opened the top of the seventh with three straight singles to load the bases. A sacrifice fly to right field brought home a run and cut the lead to 3-2, but Campbell retired the next two batters to end the game.
At the Plate
Pilkington led South Alabama at the plate, going 2-for-3. Chloe Rathburn, Breeden and Herron each had one hit. Both teams finished with five hits.
Up Next
South Alabama travels to Louisiana-Lafayette, ranked No. 18 and No. 20 in the national polls, for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., with Saturday’s games scheduled to be shown on ESPN3. The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
