JONESBORO, Ark. - South Alabama (15-18, 5-9), helmed by
Mitchell Heer's career 7.1 innings, snuffed the Arkansas State (15-19, 6-8) offense out in the 3-2 win Saturday night.
After giving up a sacrifice fly in the opening frame, Heer settled into a rhythm, putting away 10 Red Wolves batters in order into the fifth inning. An RBI single scored ASU's second run in the sixth inning, but by that time the Jags had already scored their three runs back in the second inning.
With plate discipline against A-State's starting pitcher, three South batters walked in a row in the second inning. On two outs and bags full of Jags,
Ty Brooks rocketed a triple down the right field line and scored all three baserunners.
Heer passed the one-run lead off to junior righthander
Andrew Floyd for five outs to gather. Floyd drew a shallow flyout to shortstop, then ended the inning with an emphatic swinging strikeout. A groundout in the bottom of the ninth marked the Jags' seventh leadoff out of the ninth. Floyd then fanned out the final two Red Wolves to send the game final and earn his third save of the season.
Win: Mitchell Heer (5-0)
Save: Andrew Floyd (3)
Loss: Jelle van der Lelie (2-2)
QUOTES
Head Coach
Mark Calvi
On winning a close game on the mound: Man, it was nice to get out-hit and win. Sometimes we've out hit some people and lost. We got out hit today and won. Got some guys on, had some great at bats in front of
Ty Brooks, some great at bats and Ty hits one down the line, hits a triple down the line when we needed it the most. Just a phenomenal at bat on his part. Just had a great day today. Great day in the field. You had one guy with all the RBIs, but we had guys working and working and working. You can see, you can see why they have the second best pitching staff in the league. They've got options. They've got lefties throwing 92 they've got sidearm guys. But, our pitching staff got seven out of our nine lead off outs, which is huge. That is a big, big deal. And I think we had one walk. We had one walk with another tight zone as opposed, you know, the difference was they had six walks. We got to their starter early, but we had some good at bats. We earned our way on. Ty got the big hit. Mitch put us on his back the rest of the way. We played really good defense behind him. But our guys competed really, really hard. We got into their pen early, like we did yesterday, and they had to use some guys. So, you know, I think we used three guys yesterday. Well, (Sam) Boardwine came in with a pick, but so I like what we've got. They've got a lot left tomorrow. I like what we've got. And you know, let's win a series on the road. I like where our guys' heads are, and they were good last weekend. They compete, they're poised, they're composed, and they're getting after it and playing complimentary baseball.
UP NEXT
South Alabama plays the rubber match Sunday against Arkansas State, with first pitch at 1 p.m.
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