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MOBILE, Ala. – Chase Smartt delivered a two-out solo home run to left-center field in the top of the 10th inning to lift Troy to a 5-4 win over No. 25 University of South Alabama baseball Friday at Stanky Field.

Smartt hit the first pitch he saw from Jaguar right-hander Matt Peacock over the left-center field wall for the game's decisive run. 

Troy right-hander Corey Childress (4-3) struck out one and issued one walk while allowing one hit in 1 1/3 innings to earn the win. Trojan right-hander Marc Skinner struck out two in one perfect inning to record his 12th save of the season. Peacock (3-3) allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts in two innings pitched in the loss.

"The first seven innings wasn't us, and I don't know why," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "Troy had something to do with that; they pitched very well and played extremely hard – they're a good team. Troy did a really nice job on the mound. I thought we gave a few pitches away, and they had us off balance. That wasn't us for the first seven innings. We got into it a little later on. I liked the way we competed and finished the ballgame, we just game up a little bit short today. It was an exciting baseball game. We just need to do offensively tomorrow. Our pitching gave us a chance to win. (Andy) Arguelles was okay, and Avery (Geyer) came in and did a nice job. We were a little uncharacteristic at the plate tonight, but I give Troy's pitchers credit; they had a lot to do with that. Tomorrow is a new day, and we will be ready to come back and compete."

Troy looked to take a one-run lead in the top of the first inning on a two-out double to left field by Justin Friend, following a walk by Trevor Davis, but Jaguar left fielder Dylan Hardy relayed to shortstop Drew LaBounty who fired to Jared Barnes at the plate to cut down Davis with the final out of the inning.

The Trojans took a one-run lead in the top of the second. Mason Rogers doubled down the right field line to lead off the inning, and advanced to third on a flyout to right field by Chase Smartt. Brody Binder followed with an RBI groundout to third to score Rogers for a 1-0 Trojan lead. 

Troy (31-22, 16-12 SBC) extended its lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth on a two-out, two-run home run to left-center field by Binder.

The Trojans added a run to their lead in the top of the sixth. Justin Friend drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a double down the left field line by Rogers. Binder followed with a one-out RBI single through the left side of the infield for a 4-0 advantage. 

USA (34-19, 20-8 SBC) answered with its four runs of the contest in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game. Hardy led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and scored one batter later on a pinch-hit RIB single to right field by Paul Russo to cut the Trojan lead to 4-1. Travis Swaggerty and Wells Davis drew consecutive one-out walks to load the bases. Hunter Stokes delivered a two-out, two-run single to left field later in the inning to score Russo and Swaggerty and cut the Troy lead to 4-3. Davis scored on the play when Trevor Davis' throw from left field sailed wide of the plate to tie the game 4-4. 

Binder went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and one run scored to lead the Trojans at the plate. Stokes finished 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI to lead the Jaguars offensively.

The series will continue with game two Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Stanky Field.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Dugout Club, the baseball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members enjoy all games from inside the Stadium Club with climate control, private restrooms, private concessions and access to listen to the radio broadcast. All donations to the Dugout Club go directly to support the South Alabama baseball program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/dugoutclub