Jaguar softball streaking to end the regular season. South Alabama is rolling heading into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Jaguars own a 13 game winning streak and will be the #3 seed in the tournament. They will take on #6 seed JMU on Thursday May 11th at 10 am. Click the link to view seeding and games for the Sun Belt Tournament in Lafayette LA.
The 2 wins today not only give the Jags the sweep of in state rival Troy, but also extend the school record of Sun Belt wins to 20 with a 20-4 record, and although not a school record, the Jaguars have an overall record of 38-13, which is good for second place in the final Sun Belt Conference standings.
How It Happened Game One
The Jags would get the scoring going in the bottom of the second. Victoria Ortiz would reach base on a throwing error to lead off the inning. Sasha Willems flied out to right field. Odalys Cordova would come to the plate and walk on four pitches. Bailey Welch grounded to second for the second out, bringing Emma Kropp to the plate. Kropp would hit a 2 rbi single to right and reached second on a fielding error by the right fielder.
Abby Allen would pinch hit for Marley Sims and Brooklyn Bockhaus would pinch run for Kropp. Allen would ground out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags would score 2 runs on 2 hits and led 2-0.
That score would hold all the way until the bottom of the 7th. The Jags would add on to the lead. Willems would strike out. Cordova walked and after Welch came to the plate, Cordova stole second. Welch would ground out to 1st base advancing Cordova to third. Sims hit an rbi bunt single to the pitcher.
After an unsuccessful challenge by Troy, Meredith Keel would come to the plate with 2 on and two out. Keel would blast a 3 run home run to center field. Brasher would then ground out to end the inning. In the inning South Alabama gets 4 runs on 2 hits. Jags led 6-0.
That would be the final score of game one. Jenna Hardy pitched a complete game 3 hit shut out. Hardy’s record improved to 16-7 on the year.
Game Two
The Jags would try to keep the winning going. In the bottom of the second South Alabama. Ortiz would lead off the inning with a solo home run to right center. Willems grounded out to third. Cordova fouled out to 2nd base. After a Welch walk, Kropp would strike out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags get 1 run on 1 hit and led 1-0.
Moving to the top of the third Troy gets 4 runs on 4 hits and took the lead at 4-1.
In the bottom of the fourth the Jaguars would answer back. Ortiz would lead off the inning with her second first pitch solo home run of the game. Willems reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. Bockhaus would enter the game as a pinch runner for Willems. Cordova singled to right. Welch would also single to load the bases with nobody out. Kropp was next up, and was hit by the first pitch she saw, picking up the rbi.
Allen would pinch hit for Sims. Allen fouled out for the first out. Keel would hit an rbi sac fly to left, and Brasher would strike out to end the inning. In the bottom of the 4th the Jaguars picked up 3 runs on 3 hits, tying the game 4-4.
Moving to the top of the seventh. Troy scored one run and led 5-4.
In the bottom of the seventh. The Jags looked to score again. Brasher grounded out to the pitcher. After a South Alabama challenge was upheld. Gabby Stagner hit a double on the first pitch she saw. Ortiz was next up. Stagner advanced on a wild pitch and Ortiz was then intentionally walked. Willems would reach on an rbi fielders choice. Cordova would then ground out to end the inning. In the inning the Jags scored 1 run on 1 hit, tying the game 5-5.
Troy would score one run in the top of the eighth, and retook the lead 6-5.
In the bottom of the eighth the Jags look for more offense. Welch would reach on a fielding error by shortstop, and advance to second. After Kropp walked, McGlothlin would come in and pinch run for Kropp. Sims would then lay down a sac bunt to third, advancing the runners to second and third. That brought up Keel, with 2 on and one out. Meredith Keel, who had a three run homer to put Troy away in game one, would hit a two run game winning double to left center. Jags win 6-5.
Key Stats
Meredith Keel only went 1 for 3 in game one, but it was a big one. A three run home run. In game two Keel went 1 for 4, that hit was also a big game winner.
Victoria Ortiz went 3 for 5 overall today. That included going 2 for 2 in game two with 2 solo home runs with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
Jenna Hardy would get the win in both games, improving to 17-7 overall. Hardy would come in to relieve Lackie who got a little roughed up in the second game.
Bryan’s Takes
The Jaguars are red hot and will have to stay red hot if they want to win the Sun Belt Tournament Championship. This is a SINGLE elimination tournament. The Jaguars face a tough #6 seed James Madison. That winner is likely to face #2 seed Marshall. Number one seed Louisiana is in the other bracket.
If South advanced all the way to the championship game. they would likely play Louisiana. The Cajuns swept the Jags earlier this season in a series at Lafayette. That was the last time the Jags lost a game. This is a very winnable tournament for the Jags, but they will have to continue their excellent play.
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