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MOBILE, Ala. – Gonzaga scored nine runs over the final two innings, including seven in the ninth, to defeat the University of South Alabama baseball team 13-3 Saturday at Stanky Field.

The Bulldogs held a 4-3 lead after seven frames, and added two runs in the eighth to double their lead at 6-3 before a seven-run ninth inning. South Alabama (6-6) will return to action Sun., March 1, when it hosts Gonzaga at 11 a.m. in the rubber match. 

 GAME FACTS
- Gonzaga (3-7) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Ernie Yake hit the first pitch of the game over the right field wall for a leadoff solo home run. The Bulldogs then loaded the bases with no outs on three straight singles by Isaac Barrera, Tyler Rando and Brett Harris. USA right-hander Miles Smith struck out Stephen Lund for the first out of the frame, and rolled a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play off the bat of Jack Machtolf to escape the jam.
- USA tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning when Preston Welchel reached on a fielding error by GU first baseman Sullivan, who then threw wide of the bag at first to allow Andrew Bates, who reached on a fielder's choice, to score from second and tie the score. A walk by Brandon Auerbach loaded the bases with one out. Ethan Wilson then reached on an error by GU center fielder Barrera to allow Santi Montiel, who singled earlier in the inning, to score from third for a 2-1 Jaguar lead. Reid Powers then drew a bases-loaded walk to score Welchel for a 3-1 advantage. 
- GU answered with a run in the top of the third on a two-out RBI single through the left side of the infield by Brett Harris to cut the USA lead to 3-2. 
- The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth on a two-out, two-run double to the left-center gap by Sullivan.
- GU doubled its lead to 6-3 in the top of the eighth on consecutive two-out RBI singles by Sullivan and Alex Shanks.
- The Bulldogs added the game's final runs in the top of the ninth inning. 

NOTES
- Brandon Auerbach got the start at second base, which marked his first start of the season. 
- Powers extended his hit streak and on-base streak to seven games with a two-out single to center field in the bottom of the first inning.
- Michael Sandle extended his hit streak and on-base streak to seven games with a leadoff single to left field in the bottom of the fifth. 
- Smith allowed two runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched without factoring in the decision.
- GU right-hander Alek Jacob (1-1) allowed three unearned runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 6 1/3 innings pitched in the win.
- Bulldog right-hander Gabriel Hughes tossed 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings, and allowed one hit while striking out three to record his first save of the season.
- Jaguar left-hander Caleb Yarborough (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk in one relief inning in the loss.
- The loss snapped a four-game Jaguar win streak.

QUOTES
Head Coach Mark Calvi
- On the loss:
"I told the guys that I thought our approach was really good with their (Gonzaga) starter (Alek Jacob) early on. We put ourselves in position to play the second-half of the baseball game differently. We were right there. We lacked the big hit; we left too many men on (base). We worked to get on base, and were missing that big hit today. Give Gonzaga credit, they played all 27 outs and our approach got a little bit scattered in the middle innings, and we didn't do enough offensively at all. The faster we let this one go, the better off we'll be. We'll be ready to go tomorrow."

NEXT UP
South Alabama will return to action Sun., March 1, when it hosts Gonzaga at 11 a.m. in the rubber match.

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).

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