South Alabama opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 3-2 victory over Troy on March 13 at Jaguar Field, led by Ryley Harrison’s pitching performance. Harrison held Troy to five hits and struck out eight batters, helping the Jaguars secure the first game of the series.
The win marks an important start for South Alabama as they begin their conference schedule. Head coach Becky Clark said, “Besides a hiccup here and there, I thought we were solid tonight. A win is always a great way to start a series and start the conference segment of our schedule. Troy is a good team and we have our work cut out for us the next two days.”
Harrison commented on her performance, saying, “After playing a few of the Power 4 teams that we’ve played, myself and Coach Hannah (Campbell) have been in the bullpen working on certain things that can be better. I think all my pitches worked really well tonight, and whenever Troy adjusted to certain pitches, I was able to use other tools in my box.” She also reflected on starting league play with a win: “Getting off on the right foot is great, especially against Troy an in-state conference rival. I think it sets the tone for us. Tonight was a great team win. We dug in in a place where we needed a run, and Kara (Wine) executed that part, which shows we can execute of big and little things.”
Key moments included Gracie Dees leading off the fourth inning with her tenth double of the season before Virginia Mambelli hit a two-run home run to give South Alabama an early lead. Although Troy tied the game with Makaley Boswell’s two-run homer in the fifth inning, Kara Wine delivered what proved to be the winning RBI single later that inning.
Dees reached base three times during the game and now has six multi-hit games this season. Mambelli recorded her third multi-RBI game of spring while extending her streak of reaching base safely to seven games.
South Alabama will continue its series against Troy on Saturday at Jaguar Field.
