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MOBILE, Ala. – Arkansas-Little Rock scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat University of South Alabama baseball 4-3 Friday at Stanky Field.

UALR (4-5, 1-0 SBC) faced a one-run deficit through eight innings after South Alabama (9-5, 0-1 SBC) took a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. Danny Martinez doubled down the right-field line with one out in the eighth, then advanced to third and scored on consecutive wild pitches from Trojan right-hander Cory Malcom for a 3-2 USA advantage.

But the Trojans loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth on a leadoff walk by James Gillean, Petr Sila reached on a fielder's choice and Ryan Scott reached on a hit by pitch from Jaguar right-hander Justin Flores. Tanner Rockwell followed with an RBI fielder's choice to score Gillean to tie the game 3-3. Kyle Kirk then delivered an RBI single to left field to score Sila with the game's eventual winning run.

Malcom (2-1) allowed three runs and scattered nine hits in eight innings pitched, and struck out four while issuing one walk to earn the win. Cameron Allen struck out one, issued one walk and allowed one hit in one inning to earn his second save of the year.

UALR took the game's first lead in the top of the third. Gillean reached on a leadoff walk from Jaguar starter Kevin Hill, stole second and later scored on a two-out RBI single to center field by Scott for a 1-0 Trojan lead.

USA rallied with two outs to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. Cole Billingsley reached on a single to left-center field, and moved to second when Martinez drew a walk. Jared Barnes followed with an RBI single into shallow center field to plate Billingsley and tie the game 1-1.

The Jags took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Cameron Cummings singled with one out then stole second before scoring on a two-out RBI single to right field by Bud Collura.

But UALR answered with a run in the top of the eighth on a two-out RBI single to left-center field by pinch-hitter Hayden Martin to tie the game 2-2.

USA didn't go quietly in the ninth. The Jags put the tying run in scoring position when Cummings reached on a hit by pitch to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Raspino. Collura followed with a single into shallow left-center field, and represented the game-winning run. Billingsley then drew a two-out walk to load the bases and move the potential winning run into scoring position. But Allen induced a game-ending flyout to center field off the bat of Martinez.

Billingsley went 3-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Jaguars at the plate. Collura and Barnes each added a pair of hits and one RBI. Scott finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored to lead the UALR offense.

The series will continue Saturday with game two 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).