TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ? Brandon May went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, and Casey Kebodeaux tied the longest outing of his career by going 5.1 innings as 22nd-ranked Alabama knocked off the University of South Alabama 14-3 Wednesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Chris LaGrow (1-1) took the loss for USA (21-23), as the Crimson Tide (29-15) jumped out to an early lead, then put the game out of reach with a five-run fifth and a three-spot in the sixth.
Kebodeaux (4-0) remained undefeated on the season by allowed three runs on with hits and two walks with one strikeout.
USA got on the board in the first when Adam Heisler hit a two-out double and came home on a RBI single from David Doss. The lead was short-lived, however, as May drilled a two-run double in the bottom half of the inning to put the Tide ahead 2-1.
Doss finished the night 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI, and Heisler went 2-for-4 to notch the only other multi-hit game by a Jag.
LaGrow was pulled after hitting the first batter in the second and then falling behind the second 2-0. Greg Johnson came on in relief and allowed an inherited runner and an unearned run to score in 3.0 innings to keep the Jags within reach at 4-1 after four frames.
Derek O'Reilly led off the fifth with a single, extending his hitting streak to 11 straight. He stole second base, advanced to third on a grounder from Chris Davis, and came home to score on Clint Reynolds’ sacrifice fly to cut Alabama’s lead to 4-2.
Jarrett Bailey came out of the bullpen and gave up a single to May leading off the fifth. May advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Bailey looked like he might escape the inning after getting a strikeout and a popout. However, Clay Jones walked, and three straight batters delivered RBI singles to put extend Alabama’s lead to 7-2 through five.
The Jags got a run back in the sixth when Doss singled, advanced to third on Brad Hook’s single, and scored on Matt Drake’s sacrifice fly, but the bullpen was unable to hold the Crimson Tide at bay.
Michael Raia allowed a RBI triple to May before a two-run homer by Jake Smith and another two-run blast from Clay Jones gave Alabama a 12-3 advantage in the sixth. Phillip Byrd came out of the bullpen and struck out three of the next four batters, but the Jags were unable to mount any offense against Alabama reliever Tyler White.
Tyler Odle’s two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth ended the game on a 10-run mercy rule.
The Jags return to action Friday when they travel to Monroe, La. for a three-game set with Louisiana-Monroe. Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m., with Saturday’s game at 3 p.m. and Sunday’s finale at 1 p.m. Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on Comcast Sports South (CSS).
Notes: Derek O'Reilly’s fifth-inning single extended his career-long hitting streak to 11 straight. He has hit safely in 20 of the last 21 and has reached base safely in 23 consecutive games ... David Doss has reached base safely in 17 straight, while Adam Heisler has reached safely in 12 straight ? both are one short of their career bests ... Alabama snapped a three-game losing streak against the Jags and now leads the all-time series 51-48.
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).
