Box score


MOBILE, Ala. – Four Arkansas pitchers combined to shut out the University of South Alabama baseball team 7-0 Saturday at Stanky Field.

Razorback right-hander Jackson Lowery (1-0) allowed just one hit with a pair of strikeouts in three scoreless relief innings to earn the win. Lowery, Lance Phillips and Parker Sanburn combined for six scoreless relief innings with only two hits allowed. Jaguar right-hander Ryne Long (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk in 4 2/3 innings pitched.

Arkansas (4-1) took the first lead of the game in the top of the fourth on an RBI double down the right-field line by Rick Nomura, and doubled its lead one batter later on an RBI groundout to second by Brett McAfee. The Razorbacks then pushed their lead to 3-0 on a two-out RBI single to right field by Bobby Wernes.

Arkansas added four additional runs later in the final three frames, highlighted by a pair of runs in the top of the eighth.

Tyler Spoon went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and a run scored to lead Arkansas at the plate. Ben Gann finished 2-for-2 to lead USA offensively.

"We got five hits tonight and hit another seven on the nose," head coach Mark Calvi said. "We walked nine times, and we had our leadoff man on six or seven times out of nine. We had our opportunities. Our guys were swinging the bats. Our pitchers have done a nice job as far as not issuing walks. We gave up a few too many hits, but we just need to play cleanly. Our told our guys that we need to keep playing hard. If they continue to work and learn from some failures, it will pay dividends later.

"We play the best teams we can and try to win every single game. It didn't turn out our way the last two nights, but I thought our approach to the game tonight was good. Our guys came out and competed against a guy who is 90-95, and one of the better arms in the SEC. We hung in there and hit 12 balls on the screws, but some of the bounces didn't go our way tonight. Ryne Long really battled for us. The guys came out of the bullpen and threw strikes for the most part, which they have done all year long."

The Arkansas defense turned five double plays in the game, and turned in its second consecutive game without a fielding error.

"They (Arkansas) play solid defense, put good swings on good pitches and they have good arms," Calvi said. "Our guys have seen some really good pitching (this weekend), but that's why we tried to put together this tournament. We want our guys to see and face the best, and you go out there and try to match up with and beat the best."

South Alabama (4-2) will return to action when it hosts No. 22 Central Florida (6-0) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Stanky Field. Arkansas will take on Maryland (4-1) at 10 a.m. Sunday prior to the USA-UCF contest.

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).