Jaguar softball wins seventh straight with the sweep. The final from Statesboro Georgia. The Jaguars beat Georgia Southern 11-0 in 5 innings. The Jags scored in every inning. Olivia Lackie went the distance with her NCAA leading 11th shutout of the season.
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/softball/d1
How It Happened
The Jaguars would score early and often. In the top of the first, Meredith Keel walked on four straight to lead off the game. Mackenzie Brasher then singled down the line. Gabby Stagner would then walk to load the bases with nobody out. That brought Victoria Ortiz to the plate. Ortiz would smash a two run double to center field. Sasha Willem would come up next. Willems would pop up to shortstop. Odalys Cordova would reach on a fielders choice as Stagner was thrown out at home for out two. Cordova was then thrown out at second trying to steal second for the third out of the inning. In the inning, the Jaguars picked up 2 runs on 2 hits and led 2-0.
In the top of the second, the Jags would put the pressure on GSU’s pitching. After Bailey Welch flew out on the first pitch, and Emma Kropp grounded out for two outs in the inning. Marley Sims singled to the pitcher. That brought Keel to the plate with one runner on and two out. Keel would deliver a 2 run home run to right field. Brasher would ground out to end the inning. In the inning, South Alabama picked up 2 runs on 2 hits and increased the lead to 4-0.
In the top of the third inning, the Jaguars were at it again. Stagner singled to lead off the inning. After Ortiz fouled out for the first out, With Willems at the plate, Stagner would steal second base. Willems would then hit an rbi single up the middle. Cordova would ground out to first base with Willems advancing to third. Welch hit an rbi single to down the left field line, but would get tagged out trying to advance to second to end the inning. In the inning, South Alabama would pick up 2 more runs on 3 hits and lead 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Jaguars continued to pull away. After a pitching change by Georgia Southern, Kropp walked on four pitches. Brooklyn Bockhaus would pinch run for Kropp. With Sims up to bat, Bockhaus would advance to second on a wild pitch. Sims would pop out to shortstop for the first out. Bockhaus would advance to third on the second wild pitch of the inning, with Keel up to bat. Keel would then pop out to second base for the second out. That brought Brasher to the plate. Brasher hit an rbi single to shortstop. With Stagner at the plate, Brasher would steal second. Stagner would end up striking out to end the inning. In the inning, the Jaguars would score 1 run on 1 hit and extended the lead to 7-0.
In the fifth inning the Jaguars look to put the game away. Ortiz singled to lead off the inning. While Willems was up to bat, Ortiz stole second and third bases. Willems walked. Cordova would hit an rbi single up the middle, scoring Ortiz. Welch would then walk to load the bases. Bockhaus struck out for the first out of the inning. Abby Allen, who pinch hit for Sims struck out for out two.
Keel would walk picking up an rbi the bases would remain loaded. Shelby Garrett would pinch hit for Brasher. Garrett would hit a 2 rbi single to left. Brasher would renter the game for Garrett. Stagner would ground out to shortstop for the third out. In the inning, South Alabama would pick up 4 more runs on 3 hits, and led 11-0. In the bottom of the fifth, Georgia Southern would pick up their first hit. They would not score though. The score would remain 11-0, which would be the final. The Jags run ruled the Eagles in 5 innings.
Game Stats
Olivia Lackie was lights out once again. Lackie’s record improved to 17-6, going 5 innings giving up 0 runs on just 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 4.
Meredith Keel went 1 for 2 with 3 rbi’s scoring 2 runs and 2 walks.
Mackenzie Brasher went 2 for 3 with 1 rbi scoring 1 run and 2 walks.
Shelby Garrett went 1 for 1 with 2 RBI’s
Victoria Ortiz went 2 for 3 with 2 rbi’s and 1 run scored.
Sasha Willems went 1 for 2 with 1 rbi and 2 runs scored and 1 walk.
Bryan’s Takes
Olivia Lackie was working her magic again. The junior has a career record of 51-26 with 27 total shutouts with 629 strikeouts. Lackie is approaching many of the Jaguars career records. South Alabama has won 7 in a row for the second time this season. The Jaguars should be closing in on a chance at automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. They just have to keep taking care of business.
The Jags have 6 regular season games remaining. Three at 10th place Sun Belt rival Southern Miss and 3 at home versus Troy where the Jaguars are 17-3. Between Lackie and Jenna Hardy and the offensive players that the Jags have. This should be an outstanding postseason run, the Jags are about make. South Alabama’s record has improved to 32-13 and 14-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jags are in third place but only 2 games out of first place. Troy has lost two straight, so South was able to put a little more distance between them and Troy.
Next Up
April 28-30 at Southern Miss
Game 1
Friday @ 5pm
Game 2
Saturday @ 2pm
Game 3
I Sunday @ 12pm
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