Box score

MOBILE, Ala. – Left-hander Austin Stephens allowed one unearned run on three hits in six innings to lead the University of South Alabama baseball team to a 9-2 win over Alabama State Tuesday at Stanky Field.

Stephens (1-1) tied a career high with four strikeouts, issued one walk and allowed one unearned run in a career-high six innings pitched to earn his first win at USA. The southpaw has pitched seven consecutive innings without allowing an earned run, dating back to his previous appearance against Brown on March 1.

"I finally have been feeling a lot better," Stephens said. "I have been dealing with some off-the-field health issues, but now I am feeling much better. And that feeling better gives me a little more confidence where I know I can attack the zone more. My velocity felt better, but I have changed my mindset to attack and go get the out. I have just kind of changed my mentality. My dad told me the other day you have to be a quiet warrior, and that's something I've been thinking about; it has just motivated me to stay in an attack mindset."

Stephens entered in relief of Jaguar right-hander Luke Morgan to begin the fourth inning, after USA put up four runs in the bottom of the third inning for a lead it never relinquished.

ASU (10-7) pushed across the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to right-center field off the bat of Chris Biocic for an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

But South Alabama (13-8) answered with four runs across in the bottom of the third inning. The Jags tied the game 1-1 when Jared Barnes reached on a leadoff single and eventually scored on a one-out RBI single to right field by Danny Martinez. Cole Gleason followed with an RBI single to left-center field to score Adam Ballew, who singled earlier in the inning, and give the Jags a 2-1 lead. Matt Bolger then singled to left-center to score Martinez and Gleason and extend the Jag lead to 4-1.

"You have to grind all the time when you're not getting run support," Stephens said. "But it's great to have hitters like that who can give you run support. I throw from two arm angles, but I really stuck with a lot of fastballs tonight. I was just mixing in the slider, changeup and two-seam fastball, and just kept it down in the zone. We have great defense, so it's really easy to pitch with a defense like that behind you."

USA added to its lead with a one-out RBI single to left field by Barnes for a 5-1 advantage in the bottom of the sixth. The Jags loaded the bases later in the inning with one out before Bud Collura scored on a passed ball to push the USA lead to 6-1.

A two-out, two-run triple by Ballew in the bottom of the eighth extended the USA lead to 8-2. Martinez followed with an RBI single down the right-field line for the game's final run.

Seven Jaguar starters recorded hits in the game, led by Barnes who tied a career high with four hits, finishing 4-for-5 with one RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Ballew went 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored, and Martinez added two hits, two RBI and a run. Cesar Rivera went 2-for-4 to lead the Hornets offensively.

South Alabama will return to action this weekend when it hosts Texas State in a three-game Sun Belt Conference series, beginning with game one Fri., March 20, at 6:30 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).