MOBILE, Ala. ? For the first time since April 14th, 2004, South Alabama was shut out by an opposing team. The streak, which lasted 163 games, a school record, was broken Saturday afternoon by Arkansas State right-hander T.J. Brewer, as Arkansas State defeated the Jags 6-0 at Stanky Field.
The loss dropped South Alabama to 13-8 on the season and 1-4 in Sun Belt Conference play. Arkansas State improved to 9-10 on the season and 2-3 in the SBC. Brewer picked up the complete game shutout, scattering just four hits on the day, improving his record to 2-2. Brandon Sage took the loss for USA, he is now 2-3 on the season.
“I give him a lot of credit,” said USA head coach Steve Kittrell of Brewer. “He threw his slider when he was behind in the count, he battled the whole day. They made the plays today, they made a lot of outstanding defensive plays. We have to come ready to play tomorrow.”
Brewer got two runs of support in the early going, as ASU plated single runs in the second and third innings. Ryan Hudgins singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Prickel. In the third, Tyler Doke doubled and scored when Guy Brown singled up the middle, which gave ASU a 2-0 lead.
ASU put the game out of reach in the sixth inning as the Indians scored four runs on three hits. Brandon Eller knocked in a run with a single, which was followed by a two-run single by Jordan Kimball. ASU rounded out the scoring, as Aaron Ferguson drove home the sixth run of the game with a fielder’s choice.
Jag designated hitter Eric Shortell was the only Jag to have a multiple hit game. Shortell went 2-for-4 on the day, with a pair of infield singles.
The last time USA was shut out was April 14th, 2004, when South Alabama was defeated by Auburn by a score of 10-0 in Auburn. The NCAA record for consecutive games with a run is held by Arizona State, with 505. The last time USA was shut out at home was during the 2003 season, when USA lost to Southern Miss, 8-0
Game time for Sunday afternoon's rubber game is set for 1 p.m. Live Stats can be accessed by logging onto www.USAJAGUARS.com. Tickets for Sunday’s game can be purchased at the gate or by calling the USA Ticket Office at (251) 460-6047.
