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MOBILE, Ala.  – Western Kentucky scored five runs in the seventh inning en route to a 7-6 win over University of South Alabama baseball Friday at Stanky Field.

South Alabama (18-31, 12-13 SBC) held a 5-2 lead after six innings before the Hilltoppers plated five in the top of the seventh on three hits. WKU cut the USA lead to 5-3 on an RBI single by Jared Andreoli, and tied the game one batter later on a two-run double by Casey Dykes. A Jaguar throwing error allowed WKU to take a 6-5 lead, and the Hilltoppers scored their final run of the game later in the frame on an RBI single by Devin Kelly.

South Alabama rallied for a run in the bottom of the ninth on a bases-loaded walk by Brad Hook for the game’s final run.  

Ian Tompkins (4-2) earned the win in 1 2/3 shutout innings in relief, and allowed just one hit while striking out two and issuing one walk. Taylor Haydel allowed one unearned run on one hit with a strikeout and two walks to earn his second save of the season. Jarrett Bailey (1-3) suffered the loss in two relief innings, allowing five runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk.

The Jags held a 3-0 lead after the first inning when they loaded the bases with one out, and scored the game’s first run on an RBI groundout by Whitt Dorsey. Zaharion followed and reached on catcher’s interference to score Jordan Patterson and double the USA lead to 2-0. Graham Odom the reached on a walk to force home Zaharion for the final run of the inning.

WKU (21-28, 11-14 SBC) scored its first run of the game in the top of the second on an RBI single by Blake Crabtree to cut the USA lead to 3-1.

The Jags took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-out single to left field by Dorsey that scored Drew Cofield from second base.

WKU cut the Jaguar lead to 4-2 on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Huck with the bases loaded in the top of the third, but the Jags got the run back when Tompkins balked with runners at the corners in the bottom of the sixth on a pickoff attempt at first to score Odom, who singled to lead off the inning, and push the USA lead to 5-2.

Three Jaguars recorded multiple hits in the game, led by Dorsey who went 2-for-5 with two RBI. Nolan Earley finished 2-for-5 with a run scored, and Cofield went 2-for-5 with one run. Hook and Odom finished with one hit and one RBI apiece.

Dykes went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored to lead the Hilltoppers at the plate.

The series will continue with game two Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. scheduled first pitch.

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).