Box score

MOBILE, Ala. – Travis Swaggerty delivered a walk-off single to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift No. 23 University of South Alabama baseball to a 3-2 series-opening win over No. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette Friday at Stanky Field.

Ben Gann drew a two-out walk from ULL right-hander Eric Carter in the bottom of the ninth, and was lifted for pinch-runner Dylan Hardy who stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Cajun catcher Nick Thurman on the play. Swaggerty then worked the count full against Carter before serving the 3-2 pitch into right field to plate Hardy with the game-winning run.

ULL jumped out to a one-run lead in the top of the first inning. Hunter Kasuls led off the game with a single to second, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brian Mills. Stefan Trosclair followed with a two-out RBI single through the left side of the infield to score Kasuls with the game's first run.

USA answered with a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the first to take a one-run lead. Drew LaBounty reached on a two-out single back up the middle, and advanced to second on a hit by pitch from ULL left-hander Gunner Leger to Brendan Donovan. Matt Bolger followed with an RBI double down the left field line to score LaBounty and tie the game 1-1. Jared Barnes then reached on an RBI infield single to second base to plate Donovan for a 2-1 Jaguar lead.

Trosclair singled through the right side of the infield to lead off the top of the sixth, and advanced to second on a hit by pitch from Hill to Brenn Conrad. A sacrifice bunt by Alex Pinero moved both runners into scoring position with one out. Joe Robbins followed with an RBI single to right field to score Trosclair and tie the game 2-2. Travis Swaggerty collected the ball in right field on the play, and fired to Barnes at the plate to cut down Conrad attempting to score the go-ahead run.

Jaguar right-hander Mike Dolloff (3-4) tossed one shutout inning in relief of Jaguar right-hander Kevin Hill, and allowed one hit while striking out two to earn his third win of the season. Carter (3-2) allowed one unearned run on one hit with one strikeout and a pair of walks in 1 2/3 innings in the loss. Hill struck out seven against two walks, and allowed two runs on eight hits in eight innings without factoring in the decision.

"The game lived up to the billing," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "You had two very good college baseball teams and two of, if not the best, Friday night guys in the league. Kevin (Hill) gave us a chance to win the game; he found a way to keep making pitches and we played some good defense behind him. I am super proud of Kevin Hill, as I always am. Win or lose, his effort is always there and I am good with it."

Barnes went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Swaggerty finished 2-for-5 with one RBI to lead the Jaguars at the plate. Bolger added a double and one RBI. Trosclair went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored to lead the Cajuns offensively.

The series will continue with game two Saturday 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).