Feb. 16, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Logan James recorded a pinch-hit single to score the only run of the game as Southern Miss downed Kennesaw State, 1-0, in the championship game of the K-Club Invitational on Saturday night at Bailey Park.
The two squads battled through eight scoreless innings as both starting pitchers were spectacular. Samantha Davis (2-1) picked up the win for the Golden Eagles (6-3), while senior ace Brittany Matthews suffered her first loss (4-1) for the Owls.
Kennesaw State (7-1) had the first scoring opportunity of the game in the bottom of the first as Lyndsay McCurry led off with a hard-hit single to second base. After Jamie KeKaualua reached on an error, both runners advanced to second and third on a Jacki Warren groundout. Kelsey Kulk was poised to drive in the first run, but was unable to do so after grounded out to the shortstop.
Both pitchers continued their domination as the teams would combine for just two base runners total over the next four and a half innings. Southern Miss threatened in the sixth after a Kristin Chaney bunt. But Matthews was up to the task for the Owls as she recorded two of her 12 total strikeouts to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
The game was still scoreless in the top of the eighth when the international tiebreaker was instituted, placing a runner at second base to begin each frame. KSU was the first to threaten as the Owls has runners in the corners in the bottom of the eighth.
Davis continued her dominance, however, striking out Jordan Hackett and getting McCurry to ground out to end the inning.
Andrea Bullard was placed on second to start the top of the ninth and moved to third with a sacrifice bunt by Kristin Chaney. After Brandi Alonzo popped up to KeKaualua at second, James recorded her only hit of the night, scoring the only run and sending the hosts home with their first loss of the season.
Davis and Matthews each went nine full innings and finished with 12 strikeouts apiece. The duo combined to allow just six hits total, with Davis giving up four and Matthews two.
The Owls placed four players on the all-tournament team as Angela Lopez, Sarah Hesterman, Amanda Malcom and Lyndsay McCurry were named to the squad. Katie Boyd of Appalachian State was named the tournament's MVP.
KSU will hit the road for the first time this season when the Owls play a doubleheader at UAB on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. eastern standard time in Birmingham, Ala.
