RUSTON, La. — Southern Miss softball (7-6) defeated Louisiana Tech (10-3) 7-6 Friday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field, thanks to a strong pitching performance by Kayla Giardina. The right-hander threw a complete game with seven strikeouts, falling just two shy of her career high of nine.
Giardina faced 26 batters and threw 93 pitches, allowing only one walk. She kept the Bulldogs’ offense in check throughout the game, which saw the Golden Eagles score late to secure the win.
The game was tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth when Southern Miss took the lead. Kinsley Gordon-Sivley singled, and pinch runner Jadyn Rausch scored on a subsequent play to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 advantage. Giardina added another strikeout in the sixth and retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the game.
Louisiana Tech scored first in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from Allie Furr. The Bulldogs had a chance to extend their lead but were kept at bay by Giardina and the Golden Eagles’ defense. Louisiana Tech’s B. Gallaway scored on a stolen base in the seventh but could not complete the rally.
Southern Miss improved to 13-25 all time and 5-10 in Ruston against Louisiana Tech. The team has now won three of its last five one-run games this season. Kinsley Gordon-Sivley recorded her fifth multi-hit game of the year, and Green and Gordon-Sivley extended hitting streaks to six games each.
Giardina moved to 3-1 on the season with the win. The Golden Eagles are scheduled to face Louisiana Tech again Saturday at 2 p.m. for the second game of the series.
