MOBILE, ALA. – The App State softball team took a 10-6 loss to South Alabama Friday night to open conference play. The Jaguars move to 7-15 (1-0 SBC), while the Mountaineers fall to 11-8 (0-1 SBC)
The Mountaineers scored six runs, tied for the most runs scored in a series at Mobile since joining the Sun Belt, but it was not enough as the Jaguars used a four-run sixth inning to take the win.
South Alabama would start things offensively in the bottom of the first, scoring two off three hits, including an RBI double from Kamryn Kvistad. The Mountaineer bats would answer in the third, as
Mary Pierce Barnes reached safely on a fielder's choice. After a pair of singles from
Emily Parrott and
Keri White,
Baylee Morton would walk to bring Barnes in.
Sidney Russell continued the rally with a single to left field, scoring Parrott and White.
Caylie Kifer followed it up with another single, this time up the middle, to bring in Morton and Russell. Starting pitcher for the Jaguars, Allie Hughen, was replaced by Lexi Hutchins (4-4), who would ultimately receive the win for the Jags. Hutchins was able to work out of the third with a strikeout.
The Mountaineers' lead did not last long as South Alabama put up three more in the bottom of the third to tie it up at 5-5. The Jaguars used two two-out RBI hits, a single and a double, to score the three runs.
The fourth inning saw another lead change as App State scored its final run of the game.
Gabby Buruato reached safely on a single to first base and reached second on a wild pitch. Barnes would hit her fifth double of the season to score Buruato.
The Mountaineer defense would hold the Jaguars until the bottom of the fifth when three singles would score the tying run.
Taylor Nichols came on in relief for Mountaineer starter
Kenzie Longanecker with the score tied at 6-6 and one out. The sophomore would work out of the inning with a strikeout and a foul out.
After a scoreless sixth for the App State bats, the Jaguars sealed the win with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Four hits, including a double, and one Mountaineer error would give the Jags their first conference win of the season.
Nichols (1-1) received the loss in the circle for App State, giving up four runs (two earned) and four hits in her 1.2 innings of work. Longanecker gave up six earned runs and nine hits during her 4.1 innings pitched.
Kassidy Wilcox and Kamdyn Kvistad led South Alabama offensively, each with three hits. Wilcox would end her night with four RBI.
Game two against the Jaguars is set for tomorrow, March 7, in Mobile at 3 p.m CT.
