Despite efficient pitching, hits were hard to come by for Southern Miss' offense as the Golden Eagles split Saturday's doubleheader against Jacksonville State. Southern Miss' batters totaled just seven hits between the two games.
"We were not very disciplined this weekend," Southern Miss coach Brian Levin said. "I think through the three games, we had nine or 10 hits. They make you get yourself out, and that's what we did a lot of, and we just need to be more disciplined. You could see them spinning the wheel in our hitters' heads. It seems like our approaches weren't very good. Tip your hat to (Jacksonville State's) pitchers they did their job."
However, in Game 1 of the doubleheader, Hannah Borden delivered a pair of timely hits that helped Southern Miss (14-7) picked up a 4-3 win and claimed the series over Jacksonville State.
Borden delivered early on for Southern Miss as she came up with a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
"I was looking in because yesterday they were throwing a lot of pitches in and I didn't do great with it, but I didn't do bad," Borden said. "I figured they might throw inside at me again, and so I was seeing it and took it where they gave it to me."
The Gamecocks got on the board with a throwing error in the third inning and then took a 3-2 lead from an RBI double and a passed ball that scored a run.
Borden again added a run from USM in the fifth inning, but in the bottom of the seventh, Borden delivered a walk-off RBI single.
"It's tied and were not behind, so no pressure if I don't get a hit in there," Borden said. "I was just seeing what I had been seeing the whole game and doing the best I can with it while trusting the people behind me too."
Borden finished the first game 2-for-4 with four RBI.
"She is phenomenal," Levin said. "As a freshman coming in and hitting in the four spot, she has been very consistent throughout the entire year so far."
While hits were hard to come by, Southern Miss' pitching was efficient. In Game 1, Makenna Pierce and Savannah Wood combined to allow three runs on five hits and strikeouts six. Pierce's record, notably, improved to 5-0.
But Jacksonville State (11-9) managed to string together runs in the second game as its pitching held Southern Miss to two hits in the Gamecocks' 3-0 win. According to Borden, Jacksonville State had pitched differently than what Southern Miss had anticipated.
"Friday night, they were throwing a lot of pitches inside, and we came in expecting out," Borden said. "That's what we had prepared for all week and they had kind of caught us off guard in the beginning. Then I think we adjusted more towards the end (of last night). Today, I think we saw mostly out and a little in. I think the first game we did a good job, but in the second game we didn't ever make that adjustment."
Jacksonville State scored its first run off a throwing error in the second inning and then added a run in the third and seventh inning from an RBI single and an RBI double. For Levin, the difference was his team's ability to not adjust at the plate.
"I think we got a little too anxious at times," Levin said. "Anytime the opposing pitcher gives up more than six walks, you kind of expect more runs than to be shutout. It looks like when we have runners on base, we look too anxious at swinging at balls outside of the zone."
Like in Game 1, Southern Miss' pitching again was efficient as Kaylan Ladner threw a complete game in which she allowed three runs off seven hits while striking two batters and walking two.
"Our pitchers are keeping us in games," Levin said. "They are pitching good ball games. We just are not getting any run support. I'm pleased with what the pitchers are doing."
Southern Miss will host Mississippi State on Wednesday with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
Despite efficient pitching, hits were hard to come by for Southern Miss' offense as the Golden Eagles split Saturday's doubleheader against Jacksonville State. Southern Miss' batters totaled just seven hits between the two games.
"We were not very disciplined this weekend," Southern Miss coach Brian Levin said. "I think through the three games, we had nine or 10 hits. They make you get yourself out, and that's what we did a lot of, and we just need to be more disciplined. You could see them spinning the wheel in our hitters' heads. It seems like our approaches weren't very good. Tip your hat to (Jacksonville State's) pitchers they did their job."
However, in Game 1 of the doubleheader, Hannah Borden delivered a pair of timely hits that helped Southern Miss (14-7) picked up a 4-3 win and claimed the series over Jacksonville State.
Borden delivered early on for Southern Miss as she came up with a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
"I was looking in because yesterday they were throwing a lot of pitches in and I didn't do great with it, but I didn't do bad," Borden said. "I figured they might throw inside at me again, and so I was seeing it and took it where they gave it to me."
The Gamecocks got on the board with a throwing error in the third inning and then took a 3-2 lead from an RBI double and a passed ball that scored a run.
Borden again added a run from USM in the fifth inning, but in the bottom of the seventh, Borden delivered a walk-off RBI single.
"It's tied and were not behind, so no pressure if I don't get a hit in there," Borden said. "I was just seeing what I had been seeing the whole game and doing the best I can with it while trusting the people behind me too."
Borden finished the first game 2-for-4 with four RBI.
"She is phenomenal," Levin said. "As a freshman coming in and hitting in the four spot, she has been very consistent throughout the entire year so far."
While hits were hard to come by, Southern Miss' pitching was efficient. In Game 1, Makenna Pierce and Savannah Wood combined to allow three runs on five hits and strikeouts six. Pierce's record, notably, improved to 5-0.
But Jacksonville State (11-9) managed to string together runs in the second game as its pitching held Southern Miss to two hits in the Gamecocks' 3-0 win. According to Borden, Jacksonville State had pitched differently than what Southern Miss had anticipated.
"Friday night, they were throwing a lot of pitches inside, and we came in expecting out," Borden said. "That's what we had prepared for all week and they had kind of caught us off guard in the beginning. Then I think we adjusted more towards the end (of last night). Today, I think we saw mostly out and a little in. I think the first game we did a good job, but in the second game we didn't ever make that adjustment."
Jacksonville State scored its first run off a throwing error in the second inning and then added a run in the third and seventh inning from an RBI single and an RBI double. For Levin, the difference was his team's ability to not adjust at the plate.
"I think we got a little too anxious at times," Levin said. "Anytime the opposing pitcher gives up more than six walks, you kind of expect more runs than to be shutout. It looks like when we have runners on base, we look too anxious at swinging at balls outside of the zone."
Like in Game 1, Southern Miss' pitching again was efficient as Kaylan Ladner threw a complete game in which she allowed three runs off seven hits while striking two batters and walking two.
"Our pitchers are keeping us in games," Levin said. "They are pitching good ball games. We just are not getting any run support. I'm pleased with what the pitchers are doing."
Southern Miss will host Mississippi State on Wednesday with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
Photo by Michael Sandoz.
