The Southern Miss softball team looked to reset after a tough stretch of games but fell to Mississippi State, 9-1, Wednesday at the USM Softball Complex.
Southern Miss (16-17, 3-3 Sun Belt) entered the game after a 6-2 loss to Troy on Sunday. Freshman outfielder Hannah Christian led the Golden Eagles with her eighth multi-hit game of the season, scoring the team’s only run in the first inning.
Mississippi State (28-6, 5-1 SEC) took control early with two home runs in the top of the first inning. Nadia Barbary homered to left center, bringing in Sierra Sacco. The Bulldogs outhit Southern Miss 12-4 and capitalized on three Golden Eagle errors.
Southern Miss responded in the bottom of the first inning when Christian led off with a single and later scored after a two-out single by Mikala Fox.
However, the Bulldogs extended their lead in the third inning. Kalani Sells was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Nadia Barbary to score. Mississippi State added to the lead when Kaylee Edwards advanced to second base and Gretta Grassel advanced to third.
Mississippi State pitchers Delainey Everett and Raelin Chaffin held Southern Miss in check. Everett improved to 7-0 on the season, allowing just three hits and one earned run.
The Bulldogs sealed the win in the fourth inning when Morgan Bernardini drove in two more runs with a single.
Southern Miss will travel to Mobile, Alabama, for a three-game Sun Belt series against South Alabama, beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
