USA (18-15) actually jumped out to a 1-0 lead by manufacturing a run in the first. Ray Krmul led off with a single and stole second. He scored on back-to-back groundouts by Clint Toomey and David Doss.
But Ole Miss (22-11) answered with four runs in the first, the biggest opponent outburst in the opening frame all year. Consecutive one-out doubles by Jeremy Travis and Logan Power tied the game at 1. The Jaguars looked to get out of the inning after a fielder’s choice and ground ball to third, but Jake Overstreet let the latter get through his legs and the Rebels continued to bat. A hit-batsman loaded the bases, then a walk gave Ole Miss the lead. Sean Stuyverson, last night’s hero, doubled in two more unearned runs for a 4-1 advantage.
The Jags tried to rally with another score in the second. Chris Davis and Derek O'Reilly started the frame with singles, putting runners at the corners. O’Reilly stole second, then Overstreet was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Davis scored to make the score 4-2 when Kruml grounded out to first.
But the Rebels scored two in the third and four more in the fourth to stretch the margin to 10-2. The last four runs were unearned after Sean Laird let a flyball by the leadoff hitter fall in. A three-run homer by Michael Guerrero off reliever Brandon Sage later in the inning was the big blow.
Freshman Michael Raia, the last of three Jaguar pitchers, was the most effective, allowing just three hits in four scoreless innings. He struck out three, while not allowing a walk. Starter Chris LaGrow (1-1) took the loss, while Rebel reliever Brett Bukvich (1-1) picked up the win after coming in for Phillip Irwin in the fourth.
The Jaguars played the last half of the contest without two of its top players. Kruml caught a cleat in the dirt on his stolen base in the first, while Ryne Jernigan was hit by a pitch in the third. Both players should return for the weekend.
"This should have been a 5-2 game, but we made had mistakes together," Head Coach Steve Kittrell said. "In the first for example, we made an error, then hit the next batter. Chris just isn't on top of his game right now. But it can turn at any time and we need three good games this weekend. I hope Little Rock is the turning point."
South Alabama continues its road trip Friday with the start of a crucial weekend series at UALR. First pitch of the opener is at 6 p.m., with the weekend games slated to start at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
