BOX SCORE

MOBILE – Second-ranked Alabama handed the Jacksonville State softball team its first loss of the 2009 season in the form of a 9-0 decision on Sunday morning at the South Alabama Jaguar Invitational.

The Gamecocks (3-1) got a pair of hits and loaded the bases in the first inning but couldn't get a run across in what would be their only scoring opportunity in the game. The Crimson Tide (3-0) got two runs in the second and never looked back.

Alabama's Kelsi Dunne (1-0) held the Gamecocks scoreless on two hits in five innings of work that saw her strike out 12 batters and walk three. JSU senior Kayla Collins (0-1) pitched a perfect first inning before surrendering six earned runs on seven hits over the next two frames to suffer the loss in her first start of the season.

Seniors Jackie Jarman and Allie Barker each singled in the first to account for Jax State's two hits, while Whitney Larsen went 2-for-2 with a two-run single and a two-run homer to lead the Tide offense.

The Gamecocks will open their 2009 home schedule on Tuesday at 5 p.m., when they welcome Auburn to University Field for a single game. Admission is free to all JSU home softball games.