Pine Belt Times

The Southern Miss softball team (8-1,0-0 Sun Belt) extended their win streak with a 9-2 win over Alcorn State (3-7, 0-0 SWAC) and a 4-1 victory over Jacksonville State (6-3, 0-0 ASUN) to close out the last day of the Golden Eagle Invitational at the Southern Miss Softball Complex Sunday evening. 

Game one: Southern Miss 9, Alcorn State 2

Maria Smith started off the afternoon firing out the gate in the bottom of the first, putting herself in a position to score when she doubled to left field and advanced to third on a stolen base. Alexis Dittmer singled to left field, and Maria Smith was able to drive home for their first run in the bottom of the first. 

Before the Golden Eagles wrapped up the first, Jana Lee singled through the right side so Lorna Agren could advance to third, and Alexis Dittmer was able to score. 

A very eventful third inning to continue to push the Southern Miss lead, Lee advanced to second on a wild pitch as Agren ran to third, and Dittmer was able to score. 

When Paris Ferguson singled to left field, the Black & Gold were not done yet; Lee found home followed shortly by an inside-the-park home run from senior Caroline Worrell that led Paris Ferguson home to cap the scoring in the third.

The Lady Brave response came in the top of the fourth when Hannah Miller homered, and Marsha Hunt got home to break the stalemate 7-2. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Agren rounded out her singles and advanced to second on the throw, and Natalie Taylor was able to race home to score. The last single of the game came from Lee for left fielder Agren to score. 

Jana Lee (2-0) is credited the win and pitched her second complete game for the weekend and the year. The Georgia native only allowed two runs, scattered five hits, and struck out five batters. 

Southern Miss swept Alcorn State for the weekend, continuing their series lead 24-1. Offensively the team totaled 11 hits, six RBIs, and scored nine times. Notably, pitcher Lee went 4-3 at the plate, and Lorna Agren was the only other Golden Eagle with multiple hits. 

Game two: Southern Miss 4, Jacksonville State 1

At the bottom of the first, Borden sent her second bomb of the year over the left side wall for a two-run shot. 

The Gamecocks punched back in the top of the third when designated player Lindsey Richardson singled through the left side, bringing shortstop Emma Jones to home plate. 

Designated player Jana Lee's single allowed Dittmer and Allen to score, concluding the home plate advances for the day. 

Paige Kilgore (3-0) picked up the win as Morgan Leinstock (3-1) was the relief at the top of the third. The Arizona native approaches 300 career strikeouts sitting at 299. 

According to NCAA Division I standings, Maria Smith is tied for first in the country for walks per game with eight. 

Southern Miss continued the series lead 13-6 over Jacksonville with their first win over the Gamecocks in Hattiesburg since 2020. 

Up Next:

The Golden Eagles head to Itta Bena, Miss., for their first road match of the season to face off with Mississippi Valley State for a single-game contest at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21. Live stats will be available on our website.