HATTIESBURG, Miss.-The Golden Eagles (2-3, 0-0 SBC) prepare to host its first home series of the season at the Southern Miss Softball Complex with a doubleheader against Missouri State on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m., followed by another contest versus the Bears on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Southern Miss Schedule:
Saturday, Feb. 17- 1:00 p.m. vs. Missouri State (ESPN+)
Watch:http://es.pn/494coXb
Live Stats:http://smttt.info/48g5fSf
Saturday, Feb. 17- 3:00 p.m. vs. Missouri State (ESPN+)
Watch: es.pn/3HNkdVh
Live Stats: smttt.info/49B999h
Sunday, Feb. 18- 2:00 p.m. vs. Missouri State (ESPN+)
Watch: es.pn/3ulpErl
Live Stats: smttt.info/3uxiBMd
Southern Miss started the season with a road trip for the first time since the 2018 season last weekend, participating in five games at the River City Leadoff in Jacksonville, Fla.
After starting with three close losses, including two walk-off decisions and the longest game (ten innings) played for the program since 2017, the Golden Eagles rebounded for two wins against Jacksonville and James Madison.
Ten Golden Eagles produced a total of 24 hits in the opening weekend,with Kinsley Gordon leading the team with four hits, three RBI and three runs. The sophom*ore infielder hit her third career home run with a three-run shot to help lift Southern Miss to its first win of the season against Jacksonville.
Designated player Jana Lee also hit the team's other home run shot of the weekend in the first inning against James Madison, giving the team the differential it needed for a 3-2 win. Lee was a presence at the plate with three hits and a team-high four RBI over the weekend, and also made key performances in the circle.Lee earned a win for her performance against Jacksonville and then registered her first career save as she closed the game out against JMU Sunday.
Lee is the only returning pitcher for the Southern Miss bullpen this season, as the Golden Eagles saw three newcomers take the circle in the opening weekend, pitching for a combined 2.92 ERA.
Junior Loganne Stepp led the team with a 2.53 ERA in two starts, pitching through ten innings with six hits, three runs and ten walks allowed with four strikeouts. Freshman BrookLynn White saw the most action with 11 innings of work for a team-high eight strikeouts. Holly Craft opened the season for the team and made an appearance Sunday, pitching eight innings with four hits, three runs and five walks allowed with five strikeouts.
Catcher Hannah Borden continues to climb the program's leaderboards, as her three RBI at the River City Leadoff moved the Trussville, Ala. native sixth all-time in program history with 106 career RBI. Borden also needs one more walk for the fourth-most in program rankings (82) and is one home run shy of the second-most in program history, set by Kenya Peters in 1999-2001 (33). After the River City Leadoff, Southern Miss is currently ranked fourth in Division One softball with a .993 fielding percentage (.993), only behind Syracuse, Arizona and App State's perfect percentage.
Now, the Golden Eagles return home to the Southern Miss Softball Complex, where they finished .500 with a 14-14 standing in 2023, and have posted a 63-49 home record over the past five seasons.
Scouting Missouri State
- Missouri State (1-4) started its season at Clearwater, Fla. last weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, playing games against No. 5 Clemson, Western Kentucky, Army, NC State and No. 13 Oregon. The Bears picked up a 9-6 win Friday in eight innings versus Army.
- The Bears are led by head coach Holly Hesse, who enters her 36th season leading the program. She is the second-winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference history and is ranked 18th among active NCAA Division I coaches in career victories.
- Missouri State finished last season with a 31-20 overall record, finishing second in the MVC with a 21-6 standing. The Bears were picked to finish third in the MVC Preseason Poll.
- Missouri State returns 14 players from the 2023 season, including all of its pitching staff. Returners Olivia Krehbiel and McKenzie Vaughan were named to the All-MVC preseason team. Krehbiel won the MVC Player of the Week after batting .417 in the opening weekend with a home run, two RBI and one run.
- Three pitchers appeared last weekend for the Bears, posting a combined 5.91 ERA.
- Missouri State earned a season-high ten hits, four doubles, five walks and three stolen bases in its win against Army.
Series History
- Southern Miss will meet Missouri State for the first time in program history.
Season tickets are available for the 2024 season --Fans can purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours. Season Tickets:https://bit.ly/3HisnEN
For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).
