The Southern Miss softball team improved their 2019 season record to 5-0 after defeating in-state SWAC opponent Jackson State by a final score of 9-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles' high potent offense didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Second baseman Chase Nelson who stole the show offensively kicked things off for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the first inning by lacing a sharp single into left field. Nelson's single marked the first hit of the day for a Southern Miss team that tallied a total of nine in the contest.

The senior finished the game having gone 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Aside from her single in the first inning, Nelson also recorded an RBI triple in the second inning and another single in the third inning.

Chase Nelson on Southern Miss' 5-0 start and her weekend at the plate
"Monday's aren't near as bad when you can say you had a five-game sweep over the weekend. This team is so much fun to be a part of. It's just a completely different feeling and atmosphere this year. Personally, I felt really confident at the plate this weekend but I think that's a testament to the talent of this team. There's no pressure when you know one through nine, people are going to get the job done. We are off to a good start, but that doesn't mean that we can let up. The sky is the limit with this team and I am so thankful to be part of it!"

Senior catcher Samantha Papp put the Golden Eagles on top 3-0 in the bottom of the first inning after belting a sharp single to left field. Papp went 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and three RBI.

The Southern Miss bats did not slow down after the three-run inning in the bottom of the first and instead, exploded for six more runs in the bottom of the second inning.

In addition to Nelson and Papp, freshman Madison Rayner and sophomores Destini Brown, Alyssa "Tata" Davis and Kaley Frugeeach added a hit apiece to round out the Golden Eagles' offense on the day.

Southern Miss also got an unbelievable pitching performance to accompany their offense, courtesy of junior right-hander Bailie Springfield.

Springfield, a JUCO transfer from Itawamba Community College made the most of her Southern Miss debut on Sunday.

The Mantee, Miss. native was in complete command throughout the course of the game, retiring the first 14 batters that she faced. Springfield finished the game just one out shy of the elusive complete game no-hitter. She also struck out three and earned the win.

The lone blemish on the stat line came with two outs in the top of the fifth inning when Jackson State's Nava Fisher sent a solo home run over the left field wall, scoring the Tigers' only run of the game. 

Springfield, who went 20-5 with a 1.54 ERA as a sophomore at Itawamba Community College and finished her career as the programs all-time wins leader, more than lived up to the hype in her first outing as a Golden Eagle and showed what many in The Magnolia State already knew about her, and that is, that she knows how to win in the circle.

Bailie Springfield on making her Southern Miss debut and the team's performance
"It was very exciting to get out there for my first start! We had a very impressive weekend as a team, going 5-0 to start off the year! It was great getting the win, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates behind me all the way!"

Next up for Southern Miss will be a midweek matchup against Southland Conference opponent Nicholls State on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m. (CT) in Thibodaux, La.