Minahan’s Walk-off, two-run double closes out 2015 Sand Dollar Classic
The South Alabama Softball team went 2-1 over the weekend at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores to improve their overall record to 3-2 in their opening weekend of of the season.
On Friday, the Jaguars started freshman right-hander Devin Brown in the circle for her first collegiate start. She pitched a one-hit shutout against Liberty for her first collegiate win.
Junior outfielder Stephanie Pilkington and sophomore Chloe Rathburn each went 2-for-3 with three RBI to help lead the Jaguar offensive attack. Freshman second baseman Kaleigh Todd and senior outfielder Alyssa Linn accounted for a pair of runs each. Senior Amanda Herron, Junior Emily Messer and freshman Haleigh Lowe each scored runs as the Jaguars had 10 hits in the 8-0 win.
On Saturday the Jags split a pair of games starting with a 0-1 loss to Eastern Kentucky. USA left nine runners on agaisnt the Colonels, but Devin Brown’s wild pitch in the fifth inning scored the decisive run.
In the nightcap, the Jags rebounded from their loss earlier in the day to defeat McNeese State 5-1. The Jags outhit the Cowgirls 7-5.
USA used four pitchers to hold the Cowgirls to only one run with senior Farish Beard starting then relievers Kaleigh Floore, Kalen McGill and Devin Brown each filling in. Brown, who started her first game on Friday, picked up her first career save.
Kaitlyn Griffith led the Jags by going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Amanda Minahan also went 2-for-3 and scored a pair of runs.
On Sunday, the Jags were down 0-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning to Houston when the Jags dug in and began their comeback.
USA hit three singles to load the bases. Kaleigh Todd would cut the deficit in half with an RBI groundout.
But it was sophomore Amanda Minahan that gave the Jaguars the heroics they needed. With two out and two on base, she delivered a clutch two-run walk-off double to left field giving the Jaguars the 3-2 win in the final contest of the 2015 Sand Dollar Classic.
Devin Brown struck out 11 and allowed only one earned run on six hits while walking three to improve her record to 2-1.
Senior Kaitlyn Griffith sparked the comeback with a leadoff single through the left side. Senior Alex Breeden followed with a single to right field. Then Amanda Herron singled through the left side to load the bags with Jags.
None of the players had recorded a hit in the game until that point, including Minahan.
The Jags will host the 2015 Mardi Gras Invitational where they will face Oklahoma State on Friday, February 13 at Jaguar Field. They will then face Lipscomb and Butler on Saturday and close out the weekend with University of Evansville.