LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - University of South Alabama junior catcher Brent Tanner hit two home runs and drove in four runs to lead the Jaguars to a 14-8 win and their first road sweep in a Sun Belt Conference opener since 1989, when USA took three games from Western Kentucky.
Tanner went 4-for-5 with four runs scored to lead the Jags at the plate. Senior left fielder Sean Laird went 2-for-5 with a run scored to record his team-leading ninth multiple-hit game. Every South Alabama starter recorded a hit in the contest.
USA righthander Dustin Crenshaw (2-0) earned the win in his first start of the season in four innings, allowing five runs on four hits while striking out one Trojan batter.
"I think things went our way this weekend," USA head coach Steve Kittrell said. "The guys swung the bats. It was the kind of weekend where I guys were confident , playing well and got some timely hits. The guys played well, and we just have to keep that momentum, not get overconfident and keep working hard."
UALR righthander Travis Henke (1-2) took the loss in three innings, allowing seven runs on six hits. First baseman Jake Rowell went 1-for-3 with three RBI to lead the Trojans at the plate.
UALR took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Jason Houston's sacrifice fly to center field to score Bryce Killingsworth, who reached base on a hit by pitch to lead off the inning.
USA answered in the top of the second inning when Tanner hit a solo home run to right center to tie the game 1-1.
The Trojans took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning with two runs on two hits. Brock Feldmann singled to right center to score Nate Brown who led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Rowell later drove in Feldmann on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Seven consecutive Jaguars reached base in the top of the fourth inning as USA scored six runs on five hits to take a 7-3 lead. USA loaded the bases on consecutive singles by Jake Overstreet, Tanner, Laird and Tanner White, and scored two runs on White's single to center field. Tyler Vick reached base after being hit by a pitch, then Brad Hook followed with a two-run single to score White and Laird. Overstreet later reached on a fielder's choice to score Hook.
UALR scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on Tim Emmons' two-run home run to right center to score McCollum, who doubled earlier in the inning, and cut the USA lead to 7-5.
Tanner homered for the second time in the game in the top of the sixth inning when he delivered a three-run shot to right center to give the Jags an 11-5 lead. USA scored its first run of the inning on Overstreet's sacrifice fly to left field to score Brandon Brown.
UALR (10-6, 0-3) scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the USA lead to 11-6. McCollum grounded out to third base to score Parks, who led off the inning with a double.
USA scored two runs on two hits to take a 13-6 lead. Vick led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and later scored on Clint Reynolds' single through the left side of the infield. Hook, who walked earlier in the inning, scored on Zach Grichor's groundout to second base.
The Jags added their final run of the game in the top of the eighth inning when Nolan Earley singled through the left side for his first career hit to score Tanner, who led off the inning with a single.
USA (12-6, 3-0) will return to action Tuesday when it opens a two-game midweek series at Memphis at 6:30 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 14 games ... Tanner set career highs in home runs and total bases (10) ... Overstreet drove in a run for the seventh consecutive game, and recorded his team-leading ninth multiple-RBI game of the season ... Overstreet also started his 112th consecutive game at third base ... USA improved to 53-9 all-time against UALR, and recorded its first sweep in a road conference opening series since 1989, when it took three games at Western Kentucky.
