HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Southern Miss Softball routed Southeast Missouri State 8-0 in the season opener Friday night at home. The Golden Eagles improved to 1-0 under head coach Natalie Poole, who is in her fourth season.
Kayla Giardina earned her first win of the season, throwing five shutout innings. She allowed four hits and two walks while throwing 67 pitches. Poole praised Giardina’s performance, saying she set the tone for the team.
Southern Miss’s offense scored early and often. Kayce Bennett led off the second inning with a walk. Nealy McMannus followed with a two-out RBI single with bases loaded. Maddison Johnson then drew a walk, capping a three-run frame.
The Golden Eagles continued to generate offense in the third inning. Bennett doubled to right center, and Issie Coker followed with an RBI double. Kinsley Gordon-Sivley added a sacrifice fly, and Hannah Christian drove in two runs with a single, pushing the lead to seven.
Giardina faced some trouble in the fourth but escaped a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout. She finished her outing with a double play in the fifth, which included a bunt single from Johnson and an RBI single from Bennett to close out the scoring. Johnson scored on the play, sealing the run-rule victory.
The game marked Southern Miss’s first run-rule victory on opening day since 2020. Freshmen Issie Coker, Emma Day, and Adryan Cox made their college debuts. Coker and Day each recorded their first collegiate hits, and Cox stole her first base.
Coach Poole’s team now prepares for their next game against UAB on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Golden Eagles are scheduled to host the Black and Gold Challenge this season, with additional events to follow.
