Softball falls to UAB

In the final home conference series of the season, the Southern Miss softball team was swept by conference foe UAB over the weekend.

In game one of a Saturday doubleheader, the Golden Eagles fell behind early when the Blazers scored in the bottom of the third. The Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but failed to produce any runs. UAB added a three run home run in the fifth inning that would prove to be the difference in the game.

Southern Miss would add a solo home run by Mackenzie Sher in the bottom of the seventh inning to avoid a shutout, but they could not score anymore. The final score was 5-1.

Beth Dietrich (7-12) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing 11 hits on five runs while striking out four. Amber Torres (10-3) recorded the win for the Blazers, giving up six hits and one run while striking out five.

UAB got off to a quick start in game two as well, going up 1-0 on a solo home run by Mandy Lowman. Southern Miss would even the score up in the sixth. Britney Dinelt belted a two out triple before Caroline Walker then singled to even the score. Lowman then added her second solo home-run of the day in the eighth inning, pushing the score to 2-1. Southern Miss was unable to score in the bottom of the inning, giving the Blazers the win.

Courtney Ramos took the loss for the Eagles, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out four. Lannah Campbell (12-6) recorded the win for UAB, allowing just three hits and giving up one run while striking out 15.

Game three took place on Sunday, which was also Senior Day for six Golden Eagles. Unfortunately, the Eagles could not come through for the six seniors.

UAB once again got on the board first in the third inning. In the bottom of the third, the Eagles responded. Gabby Luciani reached on an error before scoring on a Caroline Walker single. Leslie LeJune would also score in the inning, making the score 2-1 on favor of the home team. UAB would even things at two in the fourth, where the score would remain tied until the eighth inning. This would be the second game in a row to go into extra innings.

UAB would score two runs in the eighth. Southern Miss could not respond, ending the game at 4-2.

Dietrich took the loss for the Eagles, giving up six hits and three runs in 5.1 innings. Lannah Campbell recorded her second win of the series, pitching four innings with allowing three hits and striking out five.

The Eagles take on Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday night for their final home contest. They will then travel to Houston for a three game series over the weekend to end the regular season.

Southern Miss is already guaranteed the final spot in the conference tournament in Birmingham, Ala. beginning May 10.