USA Softball Win Streak Snapped By #4 Alabama 3-0
The Jaguar softball team had their 13-game winning streak and their 17-game road winning streak broken on Wednesday evening by #4 ranked Alabama by a score of 3-0.
South Alabama matched the Crimson Tide in hits and Farish Beard pitched five innings of shutout ball, but the bottom of the second inning saw them put up three runs which the Jaguars could not muster a response.
In the top of the second, Amanda Herron reached base on a fielding error by the Tide’s shortstop. Alex Breeden followed with USA’s first hit of the game, a two-out single through the left side of the infield. Then the pitch would get by the catcher to allow the runners to advance to second and thir, but Taylor Rodger’s would line out end the inning.
In the bottom of the second, UA’s Andrea Hawkins would drop a double in left field just over Kaitlyn Griffith’s head which allowed Leona Lafaele who reached on an error, Jackie Traina who was hit by a pitch and Haylie McCleney who was walked to all score.
The Jags had another chance in the top of the fifth with runners on second and third, but they could not get another hit to drive them across the plate.
Beard (16-2) pitched six innings and allowed five hits and three runs, all unearned, with four strikeouts and a walk for the Jaguars.
Sydney Littlejohn pitched four innings and allowed three hits with two strikeouts and no walks to pick up the win. Jaclyn Traina pitched three innings and allowed two hits whiel striking out four with no walks to pick up her second save of the season.
Beard’s NCAA-leading ERA fell to 0.40 in the loss.
South Alabama will look travel to San Marcos, Texas for a three game weekend series against the Bobcats. They will play a double-header on Saturday with games at 1pm and 3pm with Sunday’s game set to start at 11am.