HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Southern Miss softball defeated South Alabama 5-1 Friday at the Southern Miss Softball Complex, opening a three-game series. The Golden Eagles improved to 31-20 overall and 12-7 in Sun Belt play, while the Jaguars fell to 27-22 and 11-8 in conference.
Kayla Giardina pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out 69 batters this season, improving to 16-7. She faced eight batters in the first two innings and used just five pitches in the third inning to retire the side.
Offensively, Carrie Green led the way with two RBIs, including a single in the bottom of the first that brought in Hannah Christian. Christian opened the game with a triple, and Green’s hit scored her, giving Southern Miss an early lead. Green has now recorded at least three hits in four games this season.
The Golden Eagles extended their lead in the fifth inning with three consecutive infield singles. Green added her 22nd RBI of the season with a single, and Kinsley Gordon-Sivley drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0. South Alabama scored once in the sixth on a home run by Olivia Branstetter but could not close the gap.
Southern Miss responded in the bottom of the sixth with a double from Kayce Bennett and a stolen base, which led to a wild pitch and Bennett scoring. Christian drove in Nealy McManus on a sacrifice fly, adding the final run. Giardina closed out the game with back-to-back flyouts, securing the 5-1 victory.
Southern Miss has taken four of its last five matchups against South Alabama. The team ranks 21st nationally with 15 triples and is 4-1 in its recent series against the Jaguars. The Golden Eagles will continue the series Saturday at 2 p.m.
