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MOBILE, Ala. – Southern Mississippi scored three unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning to defeat University of South Alabama baseball 3-1 Wednesday at Stanky Field.

USM (17-13) put two runners on base with no outs in the eighth when Robinson reached on a leadoff single, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Dawson that USA left-hander Jared Gates mishandled to set up runners at first and second with no outs. Kline then attempted to move each runner up a base with a sacrifice bunt, but USA first baseman Cole Gleason's throw sailed wide of first base to allow both runners to score for a 2-1 USM lead. Tim Lynch followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Kline with the game's eventual final run.

USA (13-15) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Adam Ballew led off the inning with a single to lefdt field, and moved to second on a one-out single to left field by Gleason before Justin Cullifer delivered an RBI single to left field on the first pitch he saw from USM left-hander A.J. Glasshof to score Ballew from second.

Gates (1-3) took the loss in seven innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits with a career-high seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. The left-hander allowed a first-inning single, and allowed only two hits through his first seven frames. Jake Winston (2-1) earned the win for USM with one scoreless inning in relief of Glasshof. Bradley Roney struck out one and issued one walk in one inning to earn his 10th save of the season.

Cullifer went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Jaguars at the plate. Ballew finished with two hits, one run scored and a stolen base, and Hayden Jones added two hits. Lynch went 1-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Golden Eagles offensively.

South Alabama will return to action this weekend when it travels to San Marcos, Texas, for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series with Texas State.

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).