LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - University of South Alabama righthander D.D. Hanks pitched his second complete game in as many starts, and struck out a career high 14 batters to lead the Jaguars to a 3-0 win, and help USA head coach Steve Kittrell record his 1,000th win at South Alabama Friday night at Gary Hogan Field.
Hanks (4-0) allowed just three hits and issued two walks, while striking out the most batters by a USA pitcher since P.J. Walters struck out 14 Middle Tennessee hitters in 2006. The Saraland, Ala., native allowed two hits in the bottom of the first inning and did not allow the final UALR hit until the bottom of the seventh.
Hanks extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 15 with Friday's shutout.
"Once we scored three runs, the momentum was in our favor," Hanks said. "Everything was going good and all four pitches were working for me, so I just wanted to keep the pace up on the mound. As the game went on, I felt like I got stronger."
Kittrell's 1,000th win as head coach at South Alabama will be one he said he will never forget, due in large part to Hanks' performance.
"I thought it was just an outstanding job by D.D. [Hanks] on a Friday night to match up against their 23rd-round draft pick," Kittrell said. "I thought D.D. outpitched him. He was really in a good groove and was a bulldog tonight. He had command of all his pitches, and he was just nasty. That was one of the better games I've seen pitched
Jaguar first baseman Tyler Vick went 2-for-3 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored to lead the Jags at the plate. Jake Overstreet added a two-run home run for his team-leading eighth multiple-RBI game.
Vick broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth with a first-pitch solo home run to left field to give the Jaguars a 1-0 lead.
Third baseman Jake Overstreet extended the USA lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run home run to right-center field, after Clint Reynolds led off the inning with a single to right field.
UALR starter Adam Champion (2-1) also took the loss in nine innings pitched, allowing three runs on six hits. The lefthander struck out seven while walking one.
The Jags moved to 51-9 all-time against the Trojans, and improved to 21-9 all-time in Sun Belt Conference openers.
UALR fell to 10-4 with the loss, and 0-1 in SBC play.
USA (10-6, 1-0) will return to action Saturday at 4 p.m. for game two of this weekend's three game-series.
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 12 games with a double in the eighth inning ... Overstreet recorded his team-leading eighth multiple-RBI game ... USA improved to 51-9 all-time against UALR ... The Jaguars also improved to 21-9 all-time in SBC openers ... Hanks' 14 strikeouts are the most by a USA pitcher since P.J. Walters struck out 14 Middle Tennessee batters on May 24, 2006.
