Box score

LAFAYETTE, La. – Garrett Harris tossed his second complete game of the season to lead the University of South Alabama baseball team to a 3-1 win over the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and extend the Jaguars’ winning streak to seven games.

Harris (5-2) allowed just one run, which came on a solo home run by ULL catcher Michael Strentz to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, and allowed six hits while striking out five and issuing four walks.

“I felt really good,” Harris said. “I was going to finish the game and give my team a chance. It was a big win. They are a great-hitting ball team. They put the ball in play and hit mistakes. I wasn’t coming out of the game. I told coach Kittrell I was going to finish it.”

Harris retired 14 of 15 batters in the game before Strentz cut the Jaguar lead to 3-1 with his solo shot in the sixth. USA scored the game’s first run in the top of the second when Hunt Griffith tripled to right field to score Brad Hook, who reached on a hit by pitch.

South Alabama (22-16, 9-7 SBC) then took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Brent Tanner delivered a two-out, two-run double to right field to score Taylor White and Nolan Earley, who reached on walks ahead of Tanner.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Cajuns brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Jordan Bourque, but Harris induced a 4-6-3 ground ball double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Cajuns again brought the go-ahead  run to the plate in Jordan Porrier, after Harris issued walks to Tyler Frederick and Greg Fontenot. But Harris again pitched out of the squeeze when he forced Porrier to pop up to center field for the final out of the inning.

“That was a big inning for us,” Harris said. “That kept the momentum on our side, and I think it actually gave us a little more momentum through the rest of the game.”

ULL (21-18, 8-8 SBC) brought the game-winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with two outs in the form of Strentz, following a double by Lance Marvel and walk by Jordan Bourque. Strentz then hit a deep fly ball to center field that White caught on the warning track to end the game.

Tanner went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the Jags at the plate, and has driven in at least one run in five consecutive games. Griffith went 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, while Earley finished 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Strentz went 1-for-4 with a homer, one RBI and a run scored to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns.

ULL left-hander Taylor Hubbell (4-4) suffered the loss in seven innings pitched, allowing three runs on four hits while striking three and issuing four walks.

With the win, South Alabama improved to 53-32 all-time against the Ragin’ Cajuns, and 17-15 all-time in Lafayette.

The series will continue with game two Saturday at 6 p.m., with USA right-hander Dustin Crenshaw (6-1) scheduled to take the hill for the Jags against ULL right-hander Joe Zimmermann (1-3).

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).

NOTES:  Harris tossed his second complete game of the season, and first in Sun Belt Conference play … Tanner drove in multiple runs for the 10th time this season, and has driven in at least one run in five consecutive games … White stole two bases in the game … South Alabama improved to 53-32 all-time against ULL, and 17-15 all-time in Lafayette … South Alabama won its seventh consecutive game, marking its longest winning streak since 2007 when the Jags won seven straight.