MOBILE, Ala. - Tennessee Tech scored runs in eight of nine innings and held off a Jaguar ninth-inning rally to defeat University of South Alabama baseball 14-13 Wednesday afternoon at Stanky Field.

TTU (5-7) scored multiple runs in the first, second and seventh innings, and only went scoreless in the fourth while collecting 20 hits on the day.

USA (9-6) scored 13 runs on 13 hits, and had the game-winning run at second base when the game ended.

Jaguar lefthander Chris LaGrow (0-1) took the loss in one inning pitched, allowing six runs on five hits while striking out one and issuing two walks. Golden Eagle righthander Stephen Pryor (1-1) earned the win in 0.2 innings of relief, while striking out two and walking three. Ryan Hopkins earned the save in 0.2 innings.

The USA loss overshadowed Jake Overstreet's performance at the plate. The Thomasville, Ala., native went 4-for-5 with a double, six RBI and two runs scored, tying a career highs in RBI and hits. Second baseman Zach Grichor went 4-for-5 with two RBI and five runs scored, setting a new single-game career high in runs for the Spring, Texas, native. Grichor also extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Seven Golden Eagles recorded multiple-hit games, led by left fielder Seth Edwards, who went 4-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI and four runs scored.

"You have to give Tennessee Tech credit," USA head coach Steve Kittrell said. "They hit the ball really well, but we just didn't play well. We didn't play smart baseball. We have some talent, but we're just not playing a smart game at times, and it's costing us. It's disappointing, and we just have to be a smarter team than this."

TTU scored four runs in the top of the first on four hits, aided by A.J. Kirby-Jones' two-run home run to left field. USA answered with a run in the bottom of the first when Overstreet singled up the middle to score Grichor, who singled earlier in the inning.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 7-1 in the top of the second inning with three runs on two hits. Kirby-Jones' sacrifice fly scored Evan Frazier, then Edwards followed with an RBI double to right-center field to score Chad Oberacker. Edwards scored the final run of the inning on a Jaguar throwing error.

Tennessee Tech increased its lead to 8-1 in the third inning before USA responded with two runs in the bottom of the third on Sean Laird's two-run double down the left field line to score Grichor and Overstreet.

TTU scored a run in the top of the fifth on Oberacker's single through the right side of the infield to score Zephan Guyear. The Jaguars then scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth on Overstreet's three-run home run to left field to cut the TTU lead to 9-6.

The Golden Eagles posted one run in the top of the sixth and two runs in the seventh to take a 12-6 lead before USA answered with a four-run bottom of the seventh cut the TTU lead to 12-10. Grichor singled up the middle to score Taylor White and Brandon Brown, who reached on a double and single, respectively, earlier in the inning. Overstreet followed with a two-run double to right center to score Grichor and Nathaniel Lami.

TTU scored a run in the top of the eighth on two hits, but the Jags answered with a run of their own when Brown singled to left field to score Nolan Earley.

The Golden Eagles increased their lead to 14-11 in the top of the ninth inning when Guyear reached on another Jaguar error which scored Edwards.

USA battled in the bottom of the ninth inning to load the bases with no outs. Grichor and Brent Tanner walked to start the inning, and Overstreet followed with a single to left field. Earley drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the TTU lead to 14-12. Clint Reynolds followed with a groundout to Hopkns that scored pinch-runner Dominic Diaz to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 14-13.  White then worked the count to 3-2 before grounding out to first base to end the game.

USA returns to action Fri., March 12, when it opens Sun Belt Conference play at UALR at 6 p.m.

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: Grichor extended his hitting streak to 11 games ... Grichor's five runs scored are the most by a Jaguar since Tyler Jones scored five runs against Grambling State on Feb. 6, 2006 ... Overstreet tied career highs in hits and RBI, and recorded his team-leading seventh multiple-RBI game ... Overstreet's six RBI are the most by a Jaguar since he drove in six runs against Alabama on April 22 of last season ... USA fell to 4-1 all-time against TTU.