MOBILE, Ala. ? Matt Jackson allowed only three hits in 7.0 innings, and he cruised to an easy victory after the University of South Alabama offense plated seven runs in the first two innings of a 12-1 win over New Orleans Friday night at Stanky Field.
Jackson allowed the Privateers’ (5-13, 1-6 SBC) lone run of the night in the first inning when Jay Morris singled and came around to score on Nick Schwaner’s double that skipped just over first base and down the right-field line.
USA (8-11, 1-3 SBC) responded with three runs of its own in the first inning, and the Jags never looked back. Clint Reynolds and Zach Grichor got the offense going with back-to-back singles, and after Adam Heisler brought Reynolds home with a sacrifice fly, David Doss knocked his sixth home run of the season to put USA ahead 3-1.
Doss’ homer extended his hitting streak to 13 games, while Grichor’s singled extended his streak to a career-best 11 games. Grichor finished the night 3-for-6 with three runs and a RBI.
Jackson set UNO down in order in the second, and the Jag offense plated four more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jake Overstreet led off with his first home run of the season, Grichor drove in a run with a single, and Heisler followed with a two-run single to put USA on top 7-1.
Doss’ one-out single chased UNO starter Jake Henderson from the game after allowing seven runs on eight hits in 1.1 innings. Matt Brown came on in relief and allowed four runs in 2.2 innings of work.
The Jags added to their lead in the fourth when Ryan Bohanan drove in a run with a bases-loaded single, and Overstreet followed with a two-run single before Sean Laird came home on a wild pitch to put USA ahead 11-1.
Overstreet went 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBI, and Doss, Heisler and Reynolds added two hits apiece.
Both teams went scoreless through the next three innings, but Matt Drake drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth to put the finishing touches on USA’s 12-1 victory.
Jackson retired the last 10 batters he faced in order, and the only baserunner he allowed after the third inning was when he hit Tyler Sanford with a pitch. Jake LeBlanc worked a scoreless eighth, and Phillip Byrd set UNO down in order in the ninth.
South Alabama and New Orleans return to the field Saturday at 2 p.m. in part two of the three-game series. Lance Baxter is slated to start for the Jags, and the Privateers expect to counter with Joe Zimmermann.
Notes: Head coach Steve Kittrell’s StrikeZone radio will be at Baumhower’s Wings Sports Grille for the remainder of the 2009 season. The StrikeZone is broadcast every Monday at noon on WNSP 105.5 FM ... Grichor extended his career-best hitting streak to 11 games with a first-inning single ... Doss’ first-inning home run extended his hitting streak to 13 games, one shy of his career high ... Drake drew walks in each of his plate appearances after coming off the bench on his birthday ... Stuart Barton collected the first hit of his career when he laced a single to right field as a pinch hitter in the eighth.
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).
