BOWLING GREEN, Ky. ? Wade Gaynor went 4-for-4 with a run and two RBI to lead Western Kentucky to a 10-2 win over the University of South Alabama Saturday at Denes Field.

Western Kentucky (11-4, 5-0 SBC) plated single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to jump out to a 3-0 lead against USA (7-9, 0-2 SBC) starting pitcher Lance Baxter. Michael Raia came on in relief with one out in the fifth and stranded a pair of baserunners, but he ran into more trouble an inning later.

Jared Andreoli started the rally with a single, then came home to score on Jeremy Coleman’s bunt single. Gaynor delivered another RBI single, and Coleman scored on a double steal to put the Hilltoppers ahead 6-0.

The Jags managed only four hits against WKU starter Matt Hightower, but the offense finally put together a rally in the seventh. David Doss led off with a single, and Zach Grichor and Clint Reynolds followed with hits of their own to load the bases with one out.

Nathaniel Lami brought in the Jags’ first run on a fielder’s choice, and Adam Heisler delivered an RBI single to chase Hightower from the game. Ben Paxton came on in relief       and gave up a single to Derek O'Reilly to bring the potential tying run to the plate with Sean Laird, but the junior grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.

The Jags brought the potential tying run to the plate again in the eighth when Doss and Reynolds walked and Grichor delivered his third single of the game off of Hilltopper reliever Evan Teague. WKU brought on closer Bryce Jenney, who induced a popout from Lami to again end the threat with the Jags trailing 6-2.

Grichor finished the night 3-for-4 with a run scored, and Heisler and Reynolds had two hits apiece for the Jags. Terrence Dayleg went 2-for-5 with three runs, while Andreoli finished 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI for the Toppers.

Western Kentucky put the game out of reach in the eighth with the help of a pair of two-out errors. Chris LaGrow, who had worked 2.0 scoreless innings, almost escaped the inning unscathed, but Terrence Dayleg reached on a muffed catch at first base. LaGrow hit the next batter, then issued a walk to load the bases and end his night.

Jarrett Bailey came on in relief and got Matt Rice to hit a towering fly ball to deep center field, and Reynolds was unable to hang on for the catch, allowing all four runs to score. The Hilltoppers took a 10-2 lead to the ninth, and Chad Adcock worked a perfect frame to end the game.

USA returns to action Sunday with the series finale at 1 p.m. Miles Ethridge is expected to start on the mound for the Jags.

Notes:  David Doss extended his hitting streak to 10 games, and Zach Grichor extended his career-best streak to seven straight ... Baxter did not work into the seventh inning for the first time in four starts in 2009 ... The game was originally scheduled for a 3 p.m. start time, but was pushed back to 5 p.m. due to rain earlier in the day.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).