Southern Miss Softball Sweeps Two at Hub City Classic

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Southern Miss softball improved to 11-8 with two victories Saturday at the Hub City Classic held at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Golden Eagles defeated Lamar 3-0 and Morehead State 4-3 in extra innings, marking their second and third wins of the tournament.

Madilyn Graham pitched her first complete game and shutout of the season, striking out six batters in the process. She faced only 16 batters through four scoreless innings before closing out the game with a strikeout swinging in the sixth and two more in the seventh.

In the opener, Hannah Christian led off with a double and scored on an RBI groundout by Kayce Bennett. Jolie Hays added a single that allowed Abbi Troquille to score, giving Southern Miss a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Golden Eagles scored one more run in the fifth on an RBI single by Madison Johnson, sealing the victory.

Later, in an extra-inning thriller against Morehead State, Jolie Hays and Hannah Christian contributed offensively, with Christian recording her first four-hit game of the season. The game was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Abbi Troquille drew an RBI walk to bring in the winning run. Kayla Giardina closed out the game with a strikeout in the top of the ninth, earning her first save of the season.

Southern Miss coach Brian Levin praised the team’s pitching and clutch hitting, noting Graham’s career-high six strikeouts and Christian’s offensive production. The Golden Eagles will next face Chattanooga on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Source: Original Article