Box score


BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – University of South Alabama baseball overcame a three-run deficit in the final three innings to defeat Western Kentucky 13-10 in the series opener Friday at Nick Denes Field.

USA took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out RBI single from Matt Wojciechowski that scored Adam Ballew, who led off the game with a single to left field, from second base.

WKU (19-19, 7-9 SBC) answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Scott Wilcox singled to left-center field with one out, and advanced to second on the play on a fielding error by Cole Gleason. Ryan Church delivered a two-out RBI single to left field to tie the game 1-1. Regan Flaherty followed with an RBI double to right-center field for a 2-1 Hilltopper lead.

But USA (17-20, 7-8 SBC) answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to take a one-run lead. Hayden Jones and Justin Cullifer reached on consecutive singles to lead off the inning, and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt to third by Davis Knapp. A two-out walk by Andrew Tindell loaded the bases for Ballew, who singled to left-center field to score Jones and Cullifer and give the Jags a 3-2 lead.

WKU left fielder Anderson Miller led off the bottom of the fifth with a triple to the left-center gap, and scored to tie the game 3-3 on an RBI single to left field by Church. Regan Flaherty and Ryan Messex followed with bunt singles to load the bases with no outs. Trevor Lowe then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Hilltoppers a 4-3 lead. WKU pushed its lead to 5-3 one batter later on an RBI sacrifice bunt by David Simmons.

WKU doubled its lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth when Cody Wofford led off the inning with a double to left field, advanced to third on a fielding error by Gleason in left field and scored on an RBI groundout to second by Miller.

USA cut its deficit to two runs in the top of the seventh. Ballew reached on an error by WKU second baseman Scott Wilcox, then stole second before scoring after Messex's throw sailed into center field and under the glove of WKU center fielder Simmons to cut the WKU lead to 6-4.

Drew LaBounty walked to lead off the Jaguar eighth, moved to second on a single to left field by Ballew and advanced to third when Cameron Cummings drew a walk. Gleason followed with a one-out, two-run single to left field to tie the game 6-6. USA took a 7-6 lead later in the inning when Cummings scored on a wild pitch from WKU right-hander Brennan Pearson.

LaBounty reached on a hit by pitch to lead off the top of the ninth, and scored to push the USA lead to 8-6 on an RBI triple to right field by Andrew Tindell. Ballew reached on a hit by pitch before Cummings singled to left-center field to score Tindell and extend the Jag lead to 9-6. After WKU intentionally walked Gleason to load the bases with one out, Erik Hindmon delivered a one-out, RBI single to right field to score pinch-runner Garrett DeGallier and push the USA lead to 10-6. Jones then delivered an RBI single to left field to score Cummings and give the Jags an 11-6. Cullifer reached on an RBI fielder's choice that scored Gleason, and Hindmon also scored on the play on a throwing error by Wilcox for the final Jaguar run of the game.

The Hilltoppers added the game's final four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

USA left-hander James Traylor (1-1) earned the win in 2 2/3 relief innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Brandon Hallford earned his sixth save of the season with one-third of a relief inning. Sam Higgs (4-3) took the loss for WKU, allowing three runs on two hits with a pair of walks and one strikeout.

Ballew went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base to lead the Jaguars at the plate. Gleason added two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Church went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Hilltopper offense.

The series will continue with game two Saturday at 3 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).