Box Score (PDF)

JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State used a six-run fourth inning and a complete game from right-hander Nate Alberius to defeat the University of South Alabama baseball team 8-1 in Sunday's rubber match at Tomlinson Stadium.

ASU (16-8, 5-1 Sun Belt) scored six runs on four hits in the fourth en route to a series-clinching win, while Alberius (3-1) allowed one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in nine innings pitched.

USA (12-10, 3-3 Sun Belt) will return to action Tue., March 26, when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 6:30 p.m. at Stanky Field.

GAME FACTS
- ASU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-out RBI single through the right side of the infield by Kyle MacDonald.
- South Alabama answered to tie the game 1-1 in the top of the third inning when Santi Montiel lifted the first pitch he saw from ASU right-hander Nate Alberius over the left field wall.
- The Red Wolves responded in the bottom of the fourth on a one-out RBI single up the middle by Jake Joblonski. The Red Wolves loaded the bases with one out one batter later following a single to left field by Tyler Duncan. Drew Tipton then reached on a hit by pitch to force home a run for a 3-1 ASU advantage. Eli Davis followed with a two-run single through the left side of the infield to push the ASU lead to 5-1. Alex Howard then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field for a 6-1 ASU advantage. MacDonald followed with an RBI single to left-center field for a 7-1 lead.
- ASU pushed across the final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a one-out RBI triple to right field by MacDonald.

NOTES
- Montiel extended his on-base streak to seven games with a two-out solo home run in the top of the third inning.
- Carter Perkins extended his on-base streak to eight games and his hitting streak to five games with a leadoff single in the top of the seventh inning.
- Jaguar left-hander Caleb Yarborough (2-2) allowed four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout and two walks in 3 2/3 innings pitched in the loss.
- Reid Powers recorded his first hit of the season in the form of a one-out double to left field in the top of the ninth inning.
- Kaleb DeLaTorre's on-base streak was snapped at 12 games.

QUOTES
Head Coach Mark Calvi
- On the loss:
"We had a chance to turn a double play in the first (inning), and then we mishandled the ball in the fourth which led to seven of their runs. That was the story of the game. I thought (Caleb) Yarborough pitched alright; he deserved a better fate. We didn't handle the ball well enough behind him. There were a lot of outs given to us that we didn't take, and that was the ballgame. We didn't do a lot offensively early, but we swung the bats a little bit at the end (of the game). We hit some balls hard, but just didn't do enough today offensively or defensively and that's the story of the game."

NEXT UP
South Alabama will return to action Tue., March 26, when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 6:30 p.m. at Stanky Field.

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.