Box Score

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana collected 10 hits, but Southern Miss scored 10 unanswered runs – including nine in the sixth inning – to earn a 13-4 victory in the Lady Lions' softball non-conference finale Wednesday evening at North Oak Park.

Sophomore Jordan Logan, freshman Kelsey Nichols and junior Katie Duhe had two hits apiece for the Lady Lions (10-32). Southern Miss (22-22) had its 12-hit attack keyed by home runs by Britney Dinelt and Jill Mathis.

The Lady Lions had the leadoff batter reach in each of the first three innings, but could not scratch out a run. Senior Catherine Gunther sat USM down in order in each of the first three innings and was pulled after giving up a leadoff single to Leslie Lejune in the top of the fourth inning.

One out later, Megan Hill laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Duhe could not handle the throw of freshman Kati Morse (2-12), allowing Lejune to score. An RBI single by Alexis Hurley and a run-scoring double by Logan James put USM up, 3-0.

Southeastern came back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Consecutive singles by sophomore Katelyn Thomason, Duhe and junior Tamra Ladnier loaded the bases with one out. Nichols followed with an RBI single to plate Thomason.

Sophomore Lauren Coniglio then drew a bases loaded walk to force in another run. Ladnier then scored on a passed ball and an illegal pitch by Beth Dietrich (5-5) allowed Nichols to score and give the Lady Lions a 4-3 advantage.

The Golden Eagles tied the score in the top of the fifth inning. Lauren Castellvi drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an RBI single by Dinelt to knot the score at 4.

Southeastern had an opportunity to retake the lead in its half of the fifth. Sophomore Meghan Gomez led off the inning with a double and pinch runner Bailey Zievert advanced to third when Thomason followed with a groundout. Dietrich stranded Zievert by striking out Duhe and Ladnier to get out of the inning.

Southern Miss blew the game open in the top of the sixth inning. A three-run home run by Dinelt and a two-run shot by Mathis keyed the inning. In the frame, USM sent 15 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs and collecting eight hits to take a 13-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the sixth, singles by Nichols and Logan put a pair of runners on with two outs. James recorded the final out, making a leaping catch on a line drive by senior Chelsea Takacs.

Southeastern will be back in action this weekend, heading to Lake Charles for a three-game Southland Conference series at McNeese State. The series opens with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday and concludes with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday.