MOBILE, Ala. ? Nick Schwaner’s two-run double helped New Orleans erase a 4-2 deficit, and the Privateers kept adding on in Saturday’s 12-5 win over the University of South Alabama at Stanky Field.
UNO (6-13, 2-6 SBC) starter Joe Zimmermann allowed four runs through the first three innings, but he regained his composure and allowed only one run over the next four frames to earn his first win of the season. He allowed five runs, two of which were earned, on five hits with five strikeouts.
South Alabama (8-12, 1-4 SBC) starting pitcher Lance Baxter took the loss after allowing five runs in 4.2 frames. He scattered eight hits and tied his career high with eight strikeouts, but the Schwaner’s double capped a three-run fifth inning that put the Privateers ahead for good.
New Orleans got on the board in the top of the first when Jerad Comarda delivered a two-run double following singles from Jay Morris and Nick Mitchell.
The Jags responded with a run of their own when Clint Reynolds led off with a walk and came around to score after stealing second base and advancing home on a pair of throwing errors.
Another UNO error led to a pair of unearned runs when the Jags put three on the board in the third to take a 4-2 lead. Reynolds reached on an error and stole second base before Adam Heisler singled. David Doss brought both runners home with his first triple of the season, and he scored on Ryan Bohanan’s sacrifice fly.
Doss finished the game 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI, and Sean Laird went 2-for-3 with a run ? they were the only Jags to record multi-hit games.
Reynolds didn’t record a hit, but walked twice and stole three bases to match the career-high he set on March 11 against Memphis. He has nine stolen bases on the season.
Baxter retired nine straight before issuing a one-out walk in the fourth. After a pair of singles, he worked his way out of a bases loaded jam by striking out each of the next two batters.
He again ran into trouble in the fifth when Rodarrick Jones led off with a soft double up the middle, Morris followed with a RBI single and Mitchell walked with no outs. After inducing a popout and getting his eighth strikeout of the game, Baxter had a chance to escape with a 4-3 lead, but Schwaner delivered his double off the wall in right-center.
Mitchell added a two-run double off USA reliever Michael Logan in the sixth to extend the Privateers’ lead to 7-4. The Jags got one back in the bottom of the frame when Laird and Derek O'Reilly were hit by pitches to set up Nathaniel Lami’s RBI groundout, but USA was unable to put any more runs on the board.
Ryan Eden’s bases-loaded triple plated three of four more runs UNO scored in the eighth, and Ricky Ott allowed one hit in the final two innings to secure the Privateers’ win.
USA and New Orleans return to action for the rubber game of the series Sunday at Stanky Field. Brandon Sage is scheduled to start on the mound for the Jags, and UNO plans to start right-hander Cory Myers.
Notes: Doss’ single in the first inning extended his hitting streak to a career-high-tying 14 games. He has had three previous streak of 14 games ... Doss’ third-inning triple gave him nine for his career, moving him into a tie for seventh place on USA’s all-time list ... Reynolds stole three bases in a game for the second time this season. He also stole three against Memphis on March 11 ... Baxter’s eight strikeouts tied the career high he set on Feb. 28 against Iowa in DeLand, Fla. ... Grichor extended his career-best hitting streak to 12 games with an infield single in the seventh.
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).
