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SAN MARCOS, Texas – The second-seeded University of South Alabama baseball team scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat No. 3 seed Little Rock 6-4 Thursday in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Bobcat Ballpark. 

USA faced a two-run deficit heading into its last at-bat of the game. Ben Gann drew a walk to lead off the inning, and Matt Bolger followed with a single to right field before being lifted for pinch-runner Jalen Haskin. Trojan right-hander Cody Daylor struck out Adam Wolfe for the first out of the frame before Drew LaBounty singled to right field to load the bases. Cole Billingsley followed with a walk to score Gann and cut the USA deficit to one run. Jared Barnes then delivered a one-out, two-run double down the left field line to plate Haskin and Wolfe for a 5-4 Jag lead. Danny Martinez was intentionally walked before a wild pitch by Trojan right-hander Keenan Wingfield allowed Billingsley to score the game's final run.

"Our guys fought some," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "We put some two-strike pitches in play, and laid off some pitches up in the zone which we were swinging at early on. There was a sense of urgency in the dugout at the start of the game, but I think they sensed it a little bit more and had a little heightened awareness in the box the last nine outs. And ultimately we pushed some runs across to win the ballgame. (Shane) McKinley was really good, and so was (Ryne) Long and James Traylor. No one gave in, and they were pitching and playing to win the game. It was good to see because that has been the trademark of our program. Whether we win or lose, our kids know when you put the uniform on it is to win. I have much respect for (Little Rock head coach) Chris Curry, the (SBC) coach of the year which was well-deserved, and the Little Rock program. They have done a heck of a job, and they are going to keep getting better. We have so much respect for that program."

USA (39-19) threatened in the top of the third, but failed to push across a run. Bolger reached on a hit by pitch to lead off the inning, and advanced to second on a throwing error by Little Rock right-hander Cory Malcom on a failed pickoff attempt at first base. A groundout to second by Wolfe allowed Bolger to move to third with one out. Malcom struck out LaBounty for the second out of the frame, and escaped the inning on a groundout to first by Billingsley.

Little Rock (26-28) took a three-run lead in the bottom of the third. Zach Baker led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Kirk. Hayden Martin delivered a two-out RBI double to left-center field later in the inning to score Baker and give the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Ryan Scott followed with a two-run home run to right-center field for a 3-0 advantage.

South Alabama answered with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to cut its deficit to one. Carter Perkins doubled to left-center field to lead off the inning, and Brendan Donovan followed with a walk. Bolger then singled to center field with one out to load the bases before LaBounty delivered a two-out, two-run single through the left side of the infield to score Perkins and Donovan and cut the Trojan lead to 3-2. 

The Trojans added their final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth. Martin singled to left-center field with two outs in the inning, and scored one batter later on an RBI double off the right-center field wall by Scott to double the Little Rock lead to 4-2.

USA right-hander Ryne Long (3-0) struck out the lone batter he faced in the game after entering in the eighth inning to earn his third win of the season. Jaguar southpaw Shane McKinley pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out two batters to record his eighth save of the year. Daylor (3-2) allowed three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in two relief innings in the loss. USA right-hander Kevin Hill allowed four runs on four hits with eight strikeouts against one walk in 7 2/3 innings, and retired 15 of the last 17 batters he faced in the game without factoring in the decision.

"Kevin Hill has been a warrior for this program for three years," Calvi said. "Whether he has felt great or not, he has always taken the ball and given us a great effort. Little Rock is arguably one of the best hitting clubs in the league, and I thought Kevin did a fantastic job. He kept us in the ballgame. There were several times he could have given in, but he didn't.

"Our guys fought and it looked like the same old we have had as of late offensively, and (Cory) Malcom was doing a really nice job. But our guys hung in there and didn't give up. I felt as though when it was 3-0 and wasn't looking good, our guys still had energy and were in the ballgame. The difference between today and yesterday was they went out to win this ballgame instead of play the ballgame. Hopefully, moving forward that mindset gets back to them because we have had that mindset all year long. We have had our share of bad breaks the last month, and we have had our share of good fortune this year as well. But you put yourself into position to get your breaks when you keep playing hard, stay involved and are aware when the game comes back to you – if it does – then you will be ready and today we were ready. Cole Billingsley helped us win today. He had a great at-bat with the bases loaded to walk in a run, then scored on a ball that kicked away from the catcher; he is probably the only guy who scores on this team on that play. But he was looking for that because he was into the game; he was looking for a way to help his team win today. It was a collective effort by everyone in that dugout, and it took everyone to win today."

LaBounty went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored to lead the Jags at the plate. Bolger finished 2-for-3, and Barnes added a double and two RBI. Billingsley finished with one RBI and one run scored. Scott went 3-for-4 with a double, one home run, three RBI and one run scored to lead the Trojans offensively.

South Alabama will square off with the loser of Thursday's winner's bracket contest between No. 6 Georgia Southern and No. 7 Texas-Arlington at 3 p.m. Friday at Bobcat Ballpark.

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).