Box score

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball pounded out 14 hits and Kyle Bartsch pitched four no-hit innings in relief to lead the Jaguars to a 9-4 win over Samford Friday night at Stanky Field.

Bartsch earned his first career save in relief of USA starter Jarron Cito, and finished with seven strikeouts. Cito (1-0) earned the win in five innings, allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts and five walks.

South Alabama (2-3) set a season high with its 14 hits, led by Nick Zaharion who went 3-for-5 with a double, four RBI and one run scored. Drew Cofield finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Nolan Earley went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Logan Kirkland and Jordan Patterson had a hit each,  and Patterson drove in one run.

“I thought (Jarron) Cito had a bend but don’t break mentality,” USA head coach Mark Calvi said. “But when a guy doesn’t have his best stuff, you have to battle and go as far as you can. I knew we were going to have to go to the bullpen early, but there were a few times where they (Samford) could have had the big inning and Cito bent but didn’t break. And what a difference a week makes for Kyle Bartsch. His teammates believed in him and he believed in himself, and I couldn’t be more proud of the job he and Jarron Cito did for us on the mound tonight.”

Samford scored the game’s first run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Saxon Butler that scored Zeth Stone, who singled to lead off the game.

The Bulldogs doubled their lead in the top of the third on a bases-loaded RBI single by Butler, and took a 3-0 lead later in the inning on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Kevin Putkonen.

USA loaded the bases in the bottom of the third on three consecutive singles by Trey Cockrell, Kirkland and Earley. Zaharion followed with a three-run double to left-center to tie the game 3-3. Following a single by Whitt Dorsey, Cofield singled down the right-field line to give the Jags a 4-3 lead. Patterson then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to score Dorsey from third.

Samford loaded the bases on Cito in the top of the fourth on two walks and a hit by pitch. Butler then drew a base on balls to score Brad Moss and cut the USA lead to 5-4. But Cito followed with a strikeout of Brandon Miller to end the inning.

Cockrell reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the fourth and advanced to second on the play. He advanced to third base on a groundout by Kirkland, and scored when Earley singled to right field and give USA a 6-4 lead.

The Jags loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the eighth when Cockrell reached on an error, Kirkland singled and Earley reached on a hit by pitch. One batter later, Zaharion singled to left field to score Cockrell. Cofield came to the plate later in the inning and reached on an infield single that plated Kirkland and Earley.

Samford right-hander Kyle Putkonen (0-1) suffered the loss in five innings pitched, allowing six runs on 11 hits while striking out five.

Butler went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Bulldogs at the plate.

The series will continue Saturday with game two scheduled for 2 p.m. first pitch 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 purchaseed by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

NOTES:  South Alabama set a season high with 14 hits … Bartsch set a career high with seven strikeouts and recorded his first career save … Cockrell recorded his first career hit as a Jaguar … USA improved to 32-4 all-time against Samford.