Box score


MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Jacksonville State 9-6 Tuesday at Stanky Field.

South Alabama (30-12) trailed 6-2 through 5 1/2 innings before a run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Nick Zaharion cut the JSU lead in half.

The Jaguars then pushed five runs across in the bottom of the seventh to take an 8-6 lead. USA loaded the bases in the inning on a one-out single by Hayden Jones, and consecutive two-out walks by Bud Collura and Jordan Patterson. Zaharion reached on a hit by pitch to score Jones and cut the JSU lead to 6-4. Nolan Earley followed with a two-run single to right-center field to tie the game 6-6 before Dustin Dalken delivered a two-run double to the left-center gap to score Zaharion and Earley.

USA added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a one-out RBI double to left-center field by Jeff DeBlieux.

Jaime Dennis (1-0) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings, and allowed just two hits with a pair of strikeouts to earn his first win of the season. Kyle Bartsch recorded the final two outs in the game to earn his 11th save of the year. JSU right-hander Michael Mason (1-2) allowed five runs on three hits with a strikeout and two walks in the loss.

The Jaguars jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in the first on an RBI single by Zaharion, and a two-out RBI single by Patterson in the second inning.

But JSU answered to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the third on a two-run home run by Michael Bishop. Griff Gordon doubled the Gamecock lead later in the inning on a two-run homer inside the right field foul pole.

The Gamecocks increased their lead to 5-2 in the top of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Gavin Golsan, and extended their lead to 6-2 in the top of the fifth on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Andrew Bishop.

DeBlieux went 4-for-6 with a double, one RBI and a run scored to lead South Alabama at the plate. Jones finished with a career-high four hits and scored twice. Patterson had three hits, an RBI and a run, and Zaharion finished with two hits, three RBI and a run. Earley added two hits, two RBI and a run, while Dalken doubled and drove in two runs. Odom added two hits and a run scored.

The series will conclude Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Stanky Field.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).