Beard, Jags torch Blazers in Mercy-Rule Victory to Open Season, Mardi Gras Invite
MOBILE, Ala. – Farish Beard struck out 10 batters and allowed only one hit, while Stephanie Pilkington and Chloe Rathburn added three RBI apiece to lift No. 20 University of South Alabama softball to an 8-0, five-inning, mercy-rule defeat of No. 21 UAB in the opening contest of the 2014 Mardi Gras Invitational at Jaguar Field on Thursday.
It was Beard's 10th career double-digit strikeout performance, and the junior of Fairhope, Ala., extended her shutout streak to 38 1/3 innings, dating back to the 2013 postseason.
"It was the first game of the year, so obviously you're going to have some nerves, but I settled in after the first inning and had great defense," Beard commented. "Eight runs. What else can you ask for [as a pitcher]?"
The first run of USA's eight came in the first inning – the Jags scored in all four frames in which it batted – by way of a Blazer mishap when right fielder Kristen McGrath dropped Kaitlyn Griffith's moonshot to the right field wall, allowing Julie Moss to score from second.
Beard recorded strikeouts three and four a half-inning later before Pilkington crushed a two-RBI single through the right side of UAB's defense to plate Emily Messer, who got on with a bunt single, and newcomer Amanda Herron, who reached on a fielder's choice. Blair Johnson then sacrificed herself with a towering shot to center field that allowed Herron to reach home plate, giving USA a 4-0 lead after two.
After a strikeout and forced groundout in the top of the third, Beard allowed two Blazers to reach when Caitlin Attfield singled up the middle and Amy Dennis took one off the helmet, but Beard's rise ball snuck over the bat of Heather Pearson for out three.
USA freshman Chloe Rathburn extended the Jaguar lead to seven runs in the bottom of the third when she sent a three-run home run over the center field wall in only her second collegiate at-bat, scoring Moss and Griffith, who reached on a double and hit-by-pitch, respectively.
Beard dealt three consecutive strikeouts in the top of the fourth before Pilkington produced her third RBI a half-inning later on a triple that scored Gwen Jones, who singled and subsequently stole, from second base, giving the Jags eight unanswered runs and the possibility of a run-rule victory.
Beard fanned her 10th UAB batter before forcing a pop-up to third and corralling a dribbler up the middle to throw Attfield out at first and secure USA's first victory of 2014. She hasn't lost a decision in her last 36 appearances.
Said USA head coach Becky Clark of Beard's performance, "There's been a lot of distractions going on – the construction, the hype and that kind of stuff – so I thought for her to give us that kind of outing on day one was huge, especially in the cold tonight."
South Alabama (1-0) outhit the Blazers, 7-1, on the night, with Pilkington leading all batters at the plate, going 2-for-3 with the three RBI. Moss and Jones each scored two runs apiece, while Griffith, Rathburn, Herron and Messer added one apiece.
UAB's Lannah Campbell took the loss for the Blazers, giving up seven runs, six earned, and allowing six hits and a walk. Cara Goodwin came on late for UAB and gave up a single hit.
"I think that was about the best way you could possibly start off a season," Clark said. "I thought the hitters were phenomenal tonight. They were balanced at the plate and waited on pitches they could drive. I thought [the young players] did a great job. They looked like they've been playing for us for years."
USA will take on Syracuse at 5:45 p.m. on Friday in its second contest of the 2014 Mardi Gras Invitational. Live stats and in-game Twitter updates can be found by accessing the softball-specific schedule page shortly before first pitch.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
Trojans Open New Facility With a Tie Against Auburn
TROY, Ala. – The weather was the story on Thursday night, as Troy softball (0-0-1) tied Auburn (0-0-1), 5-5, at the newly renovate Troy Softball Complex. Heavy rain came in during the top of the sixth inning forcing the game to end in a tie.
"As the old guys used to say, it's like kissing your sister," said head coach Melanie Davis. "It's very disappointing for us, you never want a game to end in a tie. I'm very pleased with some of the positives. I thought we had Auburn on the ropes if we could've pushed a little harder."
The Trojans did their damage in the bottom of the first, as Michelle Phelps blasted a grand slam in her first career at-bat. Erica Davis picked up a two-out double to get the inning started. The next batter, Ashley Rainey, was hit by a pitch followed by a walk to Becca Hartley to load the bases.
Troy added another run on a solo shot by Alison Milam in the second inning.
Auburn picked up four runs in the top of the sixth inning, including a 3-run home run by McKenzie Kilpatrick.
The Tigers got the scoring started in the top half of the first inning. Jaycee Affeldt settled down, after a hit and a walk to start the game, to record 15 consecutive outs before coming out in the sixth.
Next up for the Trojans is the 2014 Troy Subway Invitational. The tournament begins on Friday at 9:30 a.m. and continues throughout the weekend at the Troy Softball Complex and the Troy SportsPlex. Troy's first game comes on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. against Northwestern State.
Fans can keep up with all the action by following Troy softball on Twitter at @TroySBall.
For more information on all of Troy Athletics, fans can find the Trojans on Twitter and Instagram at @TroyAthletics, or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.