April 4, 2011

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Senior Becky Smith broke Jacksonville State’s Tiffany Harbin’s no-hitter in the top of the seventh as the Miners fell 3-1 to the Gamecocks on Monday afternoon at University Field in Jacksonville, Ala. Game two of the doubleheader was canceled due to inclement weather approaching the area.

Senior Courtney Auger shut out the Gamecocks through four innings giving up just two hits in 14 at bats. Jacksonville State opened the bottom of the fifth with a single to deep left field and Kaycee Crow was hit by Auger’s pitch to be awarded first base. The Gamecocks lit up the scoreboard on Hayden Crawford’s RBI single and added a second run on a UTEP error to make the score 2-0.

Kristin Graham blasted a home run out of the centerfield fence to lead off the bottom of the sixth and put Jacksonville State up 3-0.

Harbin threw six perfect innings before Kayla Oranger went all the way to second on an error by Jacksonville State’s catcher to lead off the seventh to break the perfect game. Smith stepped into the batter’s box to break the no-hitter with an infield single. Oranger scored the Miners’ only run of the day on Laura Ramos’ fielder’s choice. The Miner rally ended with the next two at bats to end the game 3-1.

The Miners will return home to host Houston for a Conference USA series scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 9, at 1 p.m. with the nightcap of the doubleheader to follow at approximately 3 p.m. Game three is slated for noon start on Sunday, April 10. Please note the change in time for Saturday’s doubleheader.