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MOBILE, Ala.  – The University of South Alabama baseball team used a three-run eighth inning and quality start from Phillip Byrd to defeat Troy 7-2 Friday night at Stanky Field to open Sun Belt Conference play.

USA (5-12, 1-0 SBC) held a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth on Troy starting pitcher Tyler Ray. Whitt Dorsey doubled with one out to the left-center gap, and scored when Nick Zaharion doubled to increase the Jaguar lead to 5-2. Then with two outs, Dustin Dalken delivered a two-run home run, his first homer as a Jaguar, on a 3-1 pitch from Ray over the left field wall to push the Jaguar lead to 7-2.

Jaime Dennis recorded the final three outs of the game to earn his second save of the season.

Byrd (2-0) earned his second win of the season by scattering nine hits in 7 2/3 innings, and allowed two runs while striking out four and issuing three walks.

Ray (2-1) suffered the loss in eight innings pitched, allowing seven runs on 12 hits with four strikeouts. The loss snapped a 14-game win streak for Ray dating back to last year.

Troy (8-8, 0-1 SBC) threatened in the top of the first when it loaded the bases on consecutive singles by Tyler Hannah and Logan Pierce, and a one-out walk by Danny Collins. But Byrd struck out Boone Shear and induced an inning-ending flyout to center field to end the threat.

Jordan Patterson then gave the Jags a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a solo home run, his third of the season, into the Jaguar Alley decks.

Troy tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI double by Jake Harrell that scored Austin Golden who singled earlier in the inning. But USA answered in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out, two-run double down the left-field line by Brad Hook to take a 3-1 lead.

The Jags doubled their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth when Hook lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Patterson, who led off the inning with a single.

Eight Jaguar starters recorded hits in the game, led by Zaharion who went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Dalken went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and a run scored, and Patterson finished 2-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Hook added a double and three RBI.

Golden and Hannah had two hits apiece to pace Troy at the plate.

The series will continue Saturday with game two scheduled for a 6:30 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).