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MOBILE, Ala. – Texas State used a four-run eighth inning to knock off University of South Alabama baseball 8-7 Sunday at Stanky Field and avoid a three-game sweep by the Jaguars.

TSU (10-12-1, 6-3 SBC) led by a run heading into the eighth when it loaded the bases with one out. An RBI groundout to second by Colby Targun pushed the Bobcat lead to 5-3 before pinch-hitter Ben McElroy delivered a three-run home run inside the right-field foul pole for an 8-3 advantage.

South Alabama (15-9, 5-4 SBC) rallied for four runs in the bottom-half of the ninth, and had the tying run in scoring position when the game ended. An RBI single to left-center field by Bud Collura cut the Jaguar deficit in half, and an RBI single by Ben Gann one batter later cut the TSU lead to 8-5. USA put the tying run on base later in the inning when Danny Martinez drew a two-out walk. Cole Gleason followed with a two-run single to left field to cut the TSU lead to 8-7. But Bobcat right-hander Blake Whitter induced a fielder's choice off the bat of Jason Cryar for the final putout of the game on a force play at third.

Jeremy Hollonquist (1-0) earned the win in 4 1/3 relief innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks. Cody Van Aken (1-1) took the loss in 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs with one strikeout. Whitter allowed one hit in one-third of an inning to record his fourth save of the season.

TSU took the game's first lead in the top of the third on a one-out RBI double to left-center field by Cedric Vallieres for a 1-0 advantage. A pair of walks issued by Jaguar left-hander Jared Gates loaded the bases for the Bobcats with two outs later in the inning. Theodore Hoffman followed with an RBI infield single to second to double the TSU lead to 2-0.

Cole Billingsley reached on a leadoff single to left field in the bottom of the fourth, and Adam Ballew followed with a walk. A wild pitch from Hallonquist moved both runners into scoring position with one out. A passed ball by TSU catcher Paul Dylan allowed Billingsley to score and cut the Bobcat lead in half. A fielder's choice bunt by Matt Bolger scored Ballew to tie the game 2-2. A second passed ball charged to Dylan later in the inning allowed Gleason to score for a 3-2 Jaguar lead.

TSU answered with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. A two-out RBI single to right field from Vallieres tied the game 3-3. David Paiz followed with an RBI single to left field to give the Bobcats a one-run lead.

Gleason finished 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored to lead USA at the plate. Vallieres finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Bobcat offense.

South Alabama will return to action Tue., March 24, when it hosts Alabama 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).