DAPHNE, Ala. – The United States Sports University softball team split Tuesday's doubleheader against Stillman at the Daphne Sports Complex.
 
USSU 7, Stillman 6
The Eagles (6-13) scored five runs in the first inning to take control early. Morgan Courtney doubled and Kassidy (Rowdy) New followed with a single before Sydney Taylor delivered a two-run double. Isabelle Calagaz capped the inning with a three-run single to give the Eagles a 5-0 lead.
 
Stillman (10-17) chipped away with runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, but USSU responded when needed. Ahlexus Lackey singled home a run in the fifth, and Bailey Moffat added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to extend the lead to 7-4.
 
The Tigers scored twice in the seventh to pull within one, but USSU held on to secure the victory.
 
The Eagles totaled 13 hits, with Courtney, New, Lackey, Aralee Beene and Desiree Denmark each recording two. Taylor and Calagaz each drove in runs as part of the early surge.
 
USSU was aggressive on the bases, stealing a season-high five bases. Beene led the way with a career-high two steals, while Irina Sanford, New and Lackey each added one.
 
Breana Barnes (3-5) earned the complete-game win, allowing six runs, four earned, on nine hits with five strikeouts.
 
Stillman 9, USSU 5
USSU took an early lead in the first inning when New reached on an error and later scored on an RBI groundout by Moffat.
 
The Eagles added two more runs in the third. Beene singled and scored on a double by New before Parrish tripled to right center to bring home New and make it 3-0.
 
Stillman answered with three runs in the fourth to tie the game, then broke it open with a four-run sixth inning to take a 7-4 lead.
 
USSU got a run back in the sixth when Jaci Hagler scored on a wild pitch, but Stillman added two more in the seventh to close out the win.
 
New finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored, recording a season-high in hits, doubles and runs scored. She also tallied her 10th multi-hit game of the season and extended her team-leading reached base streak to 13 games. Parrish added two hits, including her second triple of the season, and an RBI. Beene finished with a hit and extended her reached base streak to 12 games

Ryleigh Merritt took the loss after allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. McKynzi Dawson worked in relief.
 
Up Next
USSU will start a nine-game road stretch with a doubleheader against Faulkner on Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT).
 
FOLLOW THE EAGLES
For complete coverage of United States Sports University softball, follow the Eagles on social media @ussusoftball(X), /ussusoftball (Facebook), @ussusoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of USSU athletics at ussueagles.com