Feb. 11, 2006

Box Score

HONOLULU, Hawaii - A two-run single by senior outfielder Autumn Petrino and a stellar pitching performance from sophomore Laura Jones lifted the UTA softball team to a 2-1 win over Southern Mississippi at the Hawaii Paradise Tournament here Friday.

UTA (1-2) will face Brigham Young and Texas State in Saturday's play. The top four teams in the tournament advance to the semifinals on Sunday.

Petrino's single scored Katie Jones and Amanda Swofford and that was all the offense Laura Jones (1-0) needed as she allowed five hits, one walk, one earned-run and striking out 10.

Southern Miss (0-4 overall) made the score 2-1 in the fourth inning.

Allison Bullard singled to start the inning, stole second, and following a walk by Jennifer Fox, went to third on a groundout by Ashley Davis. Charity Butler then scored Bullard on a RBI groundout, which also sent Fox to third. But the Lady Eagles were unable to get the game-tying run across.

The Lady Eagles had an opportunity to score in the fifth, as Melissa Prouty and Ashley Brenan both singled with one out. Jessica Huerta then reached on a fielder's choice, which forced Prouty out at third and Brenan was left stranded as Bullard grounded out to end the inning.

Southern Miss had a final opportunity to tie the game in the seventh inning, as a double by Brenan got Prouty to third, who reached base on a fielder's choice. But Huerta struck out to end the game.

Shae Naramore (0-1) took the loss for Southern Miss, tossing two innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while walking two. Lacey Gros pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out four.