Box score

MOBILE, Ala. – Right-hander Garrett Harris allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings to lead University of South Alabama baseball to a 6-1 season-opening win over UT-Martin Friday night at Stanky Field.

Harris (1-0) struck out six and walked just one, and held the Skyhawks hitless through 5 1/3 innings before UTM designated hitter Matt Young broke up Harris’ no-hit bid in the bottom of the sixth inning on a line drive that struck Harris in the side.

Harris then struck out three batters over his next 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Dustin Crenshaw, who tossed two innings of shutout relief and recorded three strikeouts.

“For a season opener, I don’t think that it could have been much better,” USA head coach Steve Kittrell said. “I thought their guy [starting pitcher Dan Tobik] did a good job. I think we’re capable of hitting a little better, but you have to give Tobik a lot of credit. I thought we came out and pitched, played defense and got some timely hits when we had to have them late in the game.

“Garrett Harris was really rocking and rolling. He got hit by the line drive, but I liked how he recovered. He had some big strikeouts late, even when he was getting a little tired so you really have to give him a lot of credit.”

Taylor White led the Jaguar hitting attack with a 3-for-5 performance and two stolen bases. Logan Kirkland went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in his first game as a Jaguar. Jake Overstreet added a three-run home run, and Nolan Earley tripled for his only hit of the game.

Dan Tobik (0-1) suffered the loss for UTM, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings. Tobik struck out six, but issued five walks.

UTM shortstop Cody Terry went 1-for-4 and drove in the Skyhawks only run on a single in the top of the sixth inning.

The Jags broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second on Brad Hook’s ground out to shortstop that scored Earley, who tripled to right field to lead off the inning.

South Alabama then doubled its lead in the bottom of the third when Kirkland doubled to left-center field to lead off the inning, and later scored on a throwing error by UT-Martin third baseman Matt Haynes.

The Skyhawks (0-1) cut the USA lead to 2-1 on Terry’s RBI single in the sixth, but Overstreet delivered a three-run homer over the left field wall to push the Jaguar lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

In the seventh, Kirkland led off with a single to left field and Jeff DeBlieux followed with a base on balls before Overstreet delivered the big blow which extended his hitting streak to seven games dating back to last season.

USA (1-0) added its final run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a throwing error by UTM second baseman Cory Stooksbury.

Game two of the three-game set is scheduled for  Saturday at 2 p.m. at Stanky Field.

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:  With the win, South Alabama moved to 29-18 all-time in season openers and 26-5 when opening the season at home … Kittrell moved to 19-9 in season openers … The Jags won their eighth consecutive season-opening game … Harris allowed just one earned run, marking the first time he has allowed one earned run or less since in a start since his first career start on Feb. 19, 2010, against Jackson State … Overstreet extended his consecutive-start streak to 154 games, and extended his hitting streak to seven games … Overstreet passed Keith Mohler (142) on the all-time RBI list with his three RBI, moving him into eighth all-time at USA with 143 … Logan Kirkland and Jordan Patterson each recorded their first career hits at South Alabama.