Box score


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – University of South Alabama baseball tallied season-high totals in hits and runs en route to a 9-6 series-opening win over UALR Friday at Gary Hogan Field.

USA (11-9, 2-1 SBC) faced a 5-0 deficit through five innings before the Jaguar offense erupted for six runs in the top of the sixth to take a lead it never relinquished.

UALR (10-9, 0-4 SBC) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI double by Joseph Paulino, and extended its lead to 3-0 on a two-run double down the left field line by Sam Vogel. Drew Merten followed with a two-run double to push the Trojan lead to 4-0, and UALR extended its lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Bryson Thionnet.

USA cut the Trojan lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth when Gleason delivered a bases-loaded, two-run single back up the middle to score Andrew Tindell and Adam Ballew, each of whom singled earlier in the inning. Hayden Jones followed with an RBI single to left-center field to cut the UALR lead to 5-3. Matt Wojciechowski then delivered a single through the right side of the infield to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Matt Bolger then singled to left field to plate Gleason and cut the UALR to 5-4. USA tied the game one batter later on a bases-loaded RBI single through the right side of the infield by Cameron Cummings. Tindell then reached on an RBI fielder's choice to shortstop to give the Jags a 6-5 lead.

Adam Ballew and Davis Knapp reached on consecutive singles to lead off the top of the seventh, and advanced one base each on a groundout to second by Gleason. Jones then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Ballew and push the USA lead to 7-5.

UALR cut the Jaguar lead to one run in the bottom of the seventh when Tanner Rockwell hit a two-out solo home run to center field, but USA responded in the top of the ninth when Gleason delivered a two-out RBI single and Jones doubled to right-center field to score Gleason to cap the game's scoring.

USA right-hander Kevin Hill (2-2) earned the win in seven innings pitched, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. Brandon Hallford tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and issued three walks with one strikeout to record his fifth save of the season while extending his scoreless-innings streak to 17 frames. UALR left-hander Travis McDonald (2-2) took the loss in 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with one strikeout.

"Hill hung in there and did well," head coach Mark Calvi said. "He gave up the four runs in the second inning, and you don't ever want to give up a four-spot but it happens. He battled for us, and (Cameron) Carleton, (James) Traylor and Hallford were good out of the bullpen. We need to continue to pitch well."

Gleason recorded a career-high four hits, and finished 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead USA at the plate. Jones went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI and a run. Bolger, Cummings and Tindell added a hit and one RBI apiece. Every Jaguar recorded at least one hit in the game. Rockwell went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, one RBI and two runs scored to lead the Trojans offensively.

"We were down 4-0 but our hitters battled," Calvi said. "Hayden Jones had a big night tonight with a badly-bruised right hand, and Cole Gleason also had a big game. Andrew Tindell was playing out of position in just his second career start and got a hit and drove in a run. We had more than one or two guys drive runs in, and when you have that then you usually win a ballgame. This truly was a team effort tonight. We hung tough on the mound, and this was probably our biggest win to date. It was great to see."

The series will continue with game two Saturday at 4 p.m.

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).