02/26/06– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAGS TOP MICHIGAN 9-4; LOOK FOR TITLE VS. UAB
LOOK FOR TITLE VS. UAB

Box Score

CONTACT: Kevin Sytko

DOTHAN, Ala. - South Alabama ripped 13 hits and scored nine runs in a 9-4 win over the University of Michigan on the final day of 2006 ScreenTech Wiregrass Baseball Classic in Dothan, Ala. The Jags imporoved to 7-4 on the season and will play UAB at approximately 4 p.m. this afternoon, looking to clinch the tournament title.

The Jaguars received multiple hit games from six players. Tyler Jones, David Freese, Aaron George, Michael Cart, Guillermo Martinez and Bill Kleinschrodt all had more than one hit. For Freese his two hits extended his consecutive game hitting streak to 16 games. He also has collected five consecutive multiple hit games.

Michigan took an early lead, taking advantage of a leadoff walk issued by USA starter Zach Piccola to Nate Recknagel. With one on and one out, Michigan’s Doug Pickens homered to left field, giving the Wolverines a 2-0 lead at the end of the second inning.

USA answered in the bottom of the second when it sent eight men to the plate. George reached first after being hit by a pitch from Wolverine starter Paul Hammond. Cart then reached when his groundball was mishandled by second baseman Jason Christian. Martinez then sacrificed both runners into scoring position with a perfect bunt to third base. With runners on second and third, catcher Joel Collins walked to load the bases. Ben Daw picked up the first Jag RBI with a walk to force in a run. Jones tied the game at two with a single to left field scoring Cart.

The Jags took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jones ripped his second triple of the season down the right field line. Weaver then drew a walk to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Controversy entered the game when David Freese rolled a ground ball down the third base line. Wolverine third baseman Adam Abraham, Jones and the ball all converged around the bag. The ball deflected off of something and ricocheted into short left field. The ball was ruled to have hit the base and not Jones’ foot which Michigan coach Rich Maloney vehemently argued. Jones scampered home giving the Jags a 3-2 lead.

USA looked took advantage of the controversy as George and Cart each followed with RBI singles to right center field and left field respectively, making the score 5-2.

Michigan wasted no time fighting back in the top of the sixth. Catcher Jeff Kunkel led off with a double down the right field line. Recknagel then reached on the sixth USA walk of the game. Derek Vanbuskirk then doubled into the right center field gap, plating Michigan’s third run of the game. Jag hurler Eric Gonzalez then fanned Pickens for out number one. USA’s defense got Gonzalez out of trouble when they turned a double play when pitch hitter Brad Roblin lined to Martinez at shortstop. Martinez then fed Daw at the second base to catch Vanbuskirk off the bag and keep the score 5-3.

The Jaguars added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Martinez and Kleinschrodt both singled to left field. Collins then moved them up 90 feet with third USA sacrifice of the games. Jeff Cunningham then pitch hit for Daw. Cunningham grounded to second but Martinez executed a perfect walking lead at third base and beat the play at the plate with a wide slide. Jones then followed with his third hit of the day, a single to right field. Kleinschrodt scored making the score 7-3 Jaguars.

Michigan looked to get back in the game in the seventh when Kunkel lined his second double of the game inside the first base bag, chasing Gonzalez. Freshman David Doss took over and after giving up a one out single, induced Vanbuskirk’s second double play of the game ending the inning.

The Jaguars added their eighth and ninth runs of the game after George singled to right and Cart singled to left. Martinez laid down his second sacrifice of the game moving two runners into scoring position. Kleinschrodt then dropped a single over a drawn in infield to score George. Base running led to another run when Cart took advantage of a wild pitch and beat a close play at the plate, making the score 9-3.

Michigan scored one run in the ninth inning but was not able to dent the Jag lead. Gonzalez picked up the win and improved to 2-and-0 on the season. Piccola started the game and went into the fifth inning, before being lifted for Gonzalez. Doss and Kevin Nabors did the rest and the Jags improved to 7-4 on the season.

Next USA will take on UAB in the final game of the ScreenTech Classic. USA can win the tournament with a win. Live stats can be accessed via www.troytrojans.com.