MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of South Alabama baseball scored seven runs in the top of the second inning and collected 16 hits in the game to knock off Memphis 13-2 Tuesday night at FedEx Park.
The Jaguars scored nine runs in the first two innings, aided by freshman catcher Brent Mitchell's first career home run, a two-run shot to left field, in the second inning.
Third baseman Jake Overstreet went 4-for-6 with a double, triple, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Jags at the plate. Zach Grichor added three hits and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Jaguar reliever Carlton Paris earned the win in two shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out one and issuing one walk. USA starter Lance Brown allowed one run on two hits while striking out two and issuing four walks.
"Lance Brown came out and set the tempo and did a good job," USA head coach Steve Kittrell said. "The guys came out swinging the bats, and it was a big road win for us. We just have to come ready to play tomorrow night."
Memphis starter Worth Tate (0-1) took the loss, allowing nine runs on nine hits in one inning pitched. Drew Martinez went 2-for-4 with one run scored to lead the Tigers at the plate.
USA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Brent Tanner to score Clint Reynolds who led off the game with a single to right field.
The Jaguars sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the second inning and scored seven runs on eight hits. Brad Hook singled to lead off the inning, then Mitchell's homer doubled the USA lead to 4-0. The Jags then loaded the bases on conseutive singles by Brandon Brown, Clint Reynolds and Grichor, before Overstreet doubled to score Brown and Reynolds.
USA extended its lead to 11-0 in the top of the fourth inning on Brown's two-run double down the left field line.
Memphis scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, cutting the Jaguar lead to 11-1, on a bases loaded walk by Alan Mathis.
The Jags answered in the top of the fifth with two runs on two hits to take a 13-1 lead. Overstreet tripled off the center field wall to score Grichor, who led off the inning with a single down the left field line. Overstreet later scored when Taylor White reached on an error by Martinez in center field.
Memphis (5-11) added its final run in the bottom of the seventh inning on Shawn Ablett's RBI single to right field to score Martinez.
USA (13-6) will return to action for the series finale with 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 15 games ... Tanner set career highs in home runs and total bases (10) ... Overstreet drove in a run for the eighth consecutive game, and recorded his team-leading 10th multiple-RBI game of the season ... Overstreet also started his 113th consecutive game at third base ... USA improved to 14-10 all-time against Memphis.
