MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama baseball senior right-hander D.D. Hanks struck out a career-high eight batters in six innings to lead the Jaguars to an 11-5 win over Eastern Michigan Friday night in the 25th Annual South Alabama Classic at Stanky Field.

Hanks scattered eight hits in his six innings, and allowed just two runs while issuing only one walk. USA senior Lance Baxter earned the save, his first of the season, in 1.1 innings of relief. Baxter struck out four and allowed just one hit and one walk. EMU left-hander Kevin Sikora (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing four runs on four hits in five innings while walking five and striking out three.

"D.D. [Hanks] threw a very good ball game," USA head coach Steve Kittrell said. "He got stronger as the game went on, and I thought he pitched very well. I thought Sean Laird swung the bat well, and [Brad] Hammac had a big hit. We're going to have our hands full in this tournament, and we need to show up and be ready to play tomorrow."

USA seniors Clint Reynolds and Zach Grichor led the Jags at the plate with two hits each. Reynolds went 2-for-4 with one run scored, while Grichor finished 2-for-3 with one RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.

EMU left fielder Daniel Russell went 3-for-5 with a stolen base to lead the Eagles at the plate.

USA  jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Jake Overstreet's sacrifice fly that scored Zach Grichor, who reached earlier in the inning on a walk.

EMU (1-2) answered to tie the score in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Brent Ohrman that scored Daniel Russell.

The Jaguars broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of third inning when Laird delivered a three-run home run off the Stanky Field scoreboard, plating Adam Heisler and Jake Overstreet, who reached on back-to-back walks earlier in the inning.

Eastern Michigan cut the USA lead to 4-2  in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI-single by Todd Graves, which scored Ben Magsig, who led off the inning with a double to right center field.

USA took a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth, aided by a hit and an EMU throwing error. Jaguar third baseman Tyler Vick led off the inning with a walk. Taylor White, who pinch-ran for Vick, stole second before scoring on a throwing error by EMU third baseman Ben Magsig. Grichor later singled in the inning to score Brad Hammac, who reached on Magsig's error.

The Jags extended their lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the seventh when White, who reached on a base on balls, scored on a single by Brad Hook.

EMU scored three  runs on three hits in the top of the eighth inning, with two of the three coming on walks with the bases loaded. The Eagles cut the USA lead to 7-3 on Magsig's RBI single that scored Ken Battison. EMU's two base on balls with the bases loaded cut the Jaguar lead to 7-5.

In the bottom half of the eighth inning, USA answered with four runs on three hits. Reynolds led off the inning with a single to left field, and eventually scored on a throwing error by Magsig that allowed Grichor to reach base. Overstreet collected his second RBI on a single that scored Grichor, and later scored to give USA an 11-5 lead on a wild pitch.

 "We're happy with the 11 runs, but from an offensive standpoint, we have to start putting better swings on the baseball," USA assistant coach Seth Von Behren said.

USA (3-2) returns to action Sat., Feb. 27, when it hosts North Florida at 1 p.m. in the 25th Annual South Alabama Classic.

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).

- USA -

NOTES:  USA moved to 36-23 all-time in the South Alabama Classic ... The Jaguars moved to 19-6 in opening games of the South Alabama Classic ... USA now holds a 3-1 all-time series lead against Eastern Michigan ... Kittrell moved to within seven wins of his 1,000th career win as head coach at South Alabama ... Reynolds extended his on-base streak to 25 games, dating back to April 15 of last season ... Heisler has now reached base in 53 of his 54 career games at USA ... Overstreet made his 99th consecutive start at third base.

Fri., Feb. 27

Wichita State 14, North Florida 4

South Alabama 11, Eastern Michigan 5