The South Alabama Softball team opened the 2023 season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The results were not what the Jags hoped to have. The experience gained against 2 very good teams is priceless.
The Jaguars would open up the season on Friday February 10th in the Clearwater Florida tournament against Louisville.
The Cardinals would strike first in the top of the 3rd. The Jags would answer right back in the bottom of the 3rd. Bailey Welch would strike out. Mackenzie Brasher singled on the first pitch she saw. Victoria Ortiz would reach base on fielders choice, which retired Meredith Keel for out 2. She would reach second on a throwing error from the Louisville shortstop. Brasher would come around to score tying the game 1-1. Odalys Cordova would ground out on the 1st pitch to end the inning.
Jenna Hardy would make the start for the Jags. She pitched 4 2/3 innings only giving up the one run, striking out 8 on 83 pitches. Olivia Lackie would come in the game and keep it tied until extra innings.
In the top of the 8th, Lackie would run into trouble, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on two hits and and an error, only recording 1 out. Hardy would return to pitch and get the final 2 outs. Louisville led 4-1.
In the bottom of the eighth the Jags would get only 1 run the final score 4-2.
In game two #6 Northwestern took on the Jags. Jenna Hardy got the start and held Northwestern scoreless she ran into trouble in the top of the 5th. After getting two quick outs, Hardy would then give up 4 runs ( 3 runs on a triple).
Olivia Lackey would come in and give up a double and get the final out in the top of the 5th. Jags would trail 4-1.
The Jag bats would answer right back in the bottom of the 5th. Gabby Stagner would lead off the inning with a five pitch walk. With 2 outs Marley Sims would single to left, advancing Stagner to second. Mackenzie Brasher would follow with a single to center scoring Stagner. Meredith Keel was hit a 1-1 pitch loading the bases. Sasha Willem would then double to left field, clearing the bases for 3 RBI’s and a Jag lead at 5-4. Odalys Cordova would ground out to shortstop to end the inning.
Lackie would hold the lead, until the top of the 7th. She would record just one out and give up 4 earned runs. Madison Langley would come in for Lackie and get record the remaining two outs.
The Jags would go pretty quietly in the bottom of the 7th to end the game. Final Jags fall to #6 Northwestern 8-5.
Olivia Lackie picked up both tough luck losses for the Jags on day one. She is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in just 5 innings.
Saturday it doesn’t get any easier. The Jags take on St John’s at 12:30 pm, who are also 0-2 after losing to both #20 Kentucky and and #21 Auburn on Friday, and then Jags will play #12 Tennessee at 3pm. The Volunteers are 2-0 after beating Illinois and Howard on Friday.
