Box score


NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field to knock off University of South Alabama baseball 5-4 Friday afternoon at Jaycees Field.

Lumberjack third baseman Hunter Dozier led off the bottom of the 11th with a walk, and reached second on a sacrifice bunt. Following an intentional walk by USA right-hander Jaime Dennis to Bobby Loveless, SFA loaded the bases on a single by Corey Bartkowiak. Ricardo Sanchez then lifted Dennis’ 1-0 pitch to center field to allow Dozier to score the game-winning run.

Dennis (0-1) suffered the loss in 2 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts and three walks. SFA reliever Alex Moshier (1-0) earned the win in two hitless innings, and struck out five.

South Alabama (2-7) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single up the middle by Jordan Patterson that scored Drew Cofield, who reached on a hit by pitch earlier in the frame.

SFA (3-7) tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third on a solo home run to right field by Rory Myers to lead off the inning. Jarid Scarafiotti then gave the Lumberjacks a 2-1 lead later in the inning on a solo homer to left field.

The Jags scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. Nolan Earley reached on an error to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cofield. Following a walk by Brad Hook, Nick Zaharion doubled down the left-field line to score Earley and tie the game 2-2. Patterson then followed with a single off of SFA first baseman Bobby Loveless’ glove that scored both runners and gave the Jags a two-run advantage.

SFA threatened in the bottom of the seventh with consecutive walks to lead off the frame. USA left-hander Phillip Byrd then entered the game in relief of USA starter Jarron Cito, and struck out the side with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position following an intentional walk to Dozier.

The Lumberjacks cut the USA lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI single through the right side of the infield by Sanchez. SFA then tied the game on a sacrifice fly to left field by Fola Lajide.

SFA held the Jags scoreless over the final six innings, and the Lumberjack bullpen combined to allow no runs on just two hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts.

Cito allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and four walks in six innings pitched without factoring in the decision.

Patterson went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a walk to lead the Jags at the plate. Earley added two hits, including a double, and one run scored. Zaharion finished with a double, one RBI and a run scored.

Sanchez went 3-for-5 with two RBI to lead SFA offensively.

“I thought our pitchers kept us in the ballgame again,” USA head coach Mark Calvi said. “(Jarron) Cito went six innings and (Phillip) Byrd came in and faced some adversity in the seventh inning and struck out the side. But give Stephen F. Austin’s hitters credit, they had a couple of sacrifice flies and they moved some runners around and that’s a little more than we did today. Our pitchers were hanging tough, but once we figure it out offensively then we should be able to do well because our pitchers are keeping us in every ballgame. It’s frustrating to watch the offense sputter like this because they are good hitters who, unfortunately, aren’t hitting right now as a whole.”

The series will continue Saturday with game two scheduled for 2 p.m. at Jaycees 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).