Box Score (PDF)

MONROE, La. – University of South Alabama right-hander Randy Bell tossed a season-high eight innings to lead the Jaguars to a 14-2 series-opening win over Louisiana-Monroe Friday at Warhawk Field.

Bell (2-3) allowed two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks in eight innings pitched to earn the win. Jaguar right-hander Andrew Cash struck out one in one perfect inning of relief in his Jaguar debut on the mound. ULM right-hander Josh Leone (1-4) allowed five runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks in the loss.

"I thought Randy (Bell) bounced back really nicely and made some pitches tonight," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "He used his changeup some against some righties, pitched in a little bit and threw enough curveballs when he had to for strikes. I still think he is a notch away from being the guy he was last year, but when you can still help your team win when you're not at your best then that's the mark of a good guy and a competitor. And that's what Randy has done. I think the best is yet to come of Randy this year, and I think if you ask him he will tell you that. We're proud of his effort and proud to get him a win. Any time you get a Friday-night win, it's a coveted thing. They are hard to come by, so when you get one you take it and move on to the next day."

South Alabama (17-13, 7-3 SBC) recorded 15 hits, led by Brendan Donovan who tied a career high in hits finishing 4-for-5 with a career-high four RBI and two runs scored. Will Luft went 3-for-5 with a double, one home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and Travis Swaggerty finished 2-for-5 with a double, one home run, one run scored and tied a career high with four RBI. Dylan Hardy added two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, and Drew LaBounty had one hit, two RBI and two runs scored.

"We have been really good with two-out RBI," Calvi said. "And that's a product of having some guys on before two outs. It's hard to get three hits in a row with two outs. Tonight, (Dylan) Hardy and (Brendan) Donovan were big. We're in the top 10 to 20 (nationally) in a lot of offensive categories, and on-base percentage is one of them. That was the third or fourth weekend pitcher we have gotten out (of the game) before the fifth inning, and that is due to our guys' willingness to take tough pitches early and get some good pitches to hit. Our guys have done a really nice job of wearing down the other team and forcing their (opponent) pitcher to make good pitch after good pitch. They have done a really nice job of having the right approach up there. You have to have an approach. There is stuff you need to look for and there are certain pitches you need to give to the pitcher. And there are certain pitches you need to own, and our guys have done a really nice job of that."

ULM (9-23, 4-6 SBC) broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout to shortstop off the bat of Anthony Herrera that scored Spencer Hemphill, who led off the inning with a single to left field, for a 1-0 lead.

The Jags responded with three runs in the top of the third inning to take a two-run lead. USA loaded the bases with one out on consecutive walks by Hunter Stokes and Hardy and an infield single to first by Donovan. LaBounty followed with a walk to plate Stokes and knot the score at 1-1. Travis Swaggerty then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to score Hardy for a 2-1 lead. Eddie Paparella followed with a two-out RBI single to left field to score Donovan and push the Jaguar lead to 3-1.

South Alabama (17-13, 7-3 SBC) added to its lead with a pair of two-out runs in the top of the fourth. Luft doubled to left field to lead off the inning, and scored on a two-out single back up the middle by Hardy for a 4-1 USA advantage. Hardy stole second before scoring on an RBI single left-center field by Donovan to push the Jaguar lead to 5-1. 

Luft extended the USA lead to 6-1 in the top of the fifth with a two-out solo home run to left field.

The Warhawks answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut their deficit to four runs. Herrera doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning, and advanced to third on a flyout to center field by Brady McGehee. Cade Stone followed with an RBI single to left-center field to score Herrera and cut the USA lead to 6-2.

Stokes reached on a throwing error by ULM left-hander Trey Auger on a leadoff bunt attempt back to the mound in the top of the sixth inning, moved to second on a groundout back to the pitcher by Hardy and advanced to third with one out on a wild pitch. Donovan then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to score Stokes for a 7-2 Jaguar advantage. 

The Jags added to their lead with two runs in the top of the eighth. Luft led off the inning with a single to left field, and moved to second on a fielder's choice off the bat of Jared Barnes on a sacrifice bunt attempt when Auger's throw to second sailed high of the bag. A sacrifice bunt by Stokes advanced both runners into scoring position with one out. Hardy followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Luft for an 8-2 USA lead. Donovan then singled to right field to plate Barnes and extend the Jaguar advantage to 9-2. Swaggerty followed with a two-out, three-run home run to right-center field for a 12-2 lead. 

USA loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the ninth on walks by Barnes and Cam Cummings, and a single to right field by Wells Davis. Donovan then reached on an RBI fielder's choice on a grounder to second that allowed Barnes to score for a 13-2 advantage. LaBounty followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to score Davis with the game's final run.

The series will continue with game two at 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Dugout Club, the baseball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members enjoy all games from inside the Stadium Club with climate control, private restrooms, private concessions and access to listen to the radio broadcast. All donations to the Dugout Club go directly to support the South Alabama baseball program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/dugoutclub.