SAN MARCOS, Texas - South Alabama (30-18, 14-10 SBC) claimed its 30th win and completed the sweep of Texas State (27-21, 10-14 SBC) guided by a combination of clutch late-game hitting and 4.2 scoreless innings from the Jaguar bullpen on Sunday at Irvine-Rasmussen Ballpark.
PRIMARY THREADS
- The Bobcats grabbed its first lead of the series in the opening frame when it struck for three runs out of the gate.
- Texas State would snag a run in the home half of the fourth inning on an RBI single, before Brennon Wright got the Jags on the board in the fifth when a fielder's choice did the job on the infield allowing Marc Stephens to cross.
- Blake Guerin and Mike Young were aboard with two away in the sixth inning for Marc Stephens, who tagged a three-run shot to right-center field that tied the game at four apiece.
- Rett Johnson and Robert Miranda drew walks in the eighth inning before Ethan Melton drilled a two out double to the deepest part of the yard in the center field corner to score both runners aboard and give the Jags a two run lead late.
- Reliever Jacob Haley would close it down after a scoreless career-high 3.2 innings pitched and five strikeouts to complete the sweep, 7-4 Jags.
KEY STATS
- The conference sweep marks the first for the Jaguars since May 2022 (ULM).
- It is the quickest the Jaguars have reached the 30 win mark since 2016.
- South Alabama has won five straight and 11 of its last 14.
- It is the final series South Alabama and Texas State will play as a conference set with the Bobcats departing for the Pac-12 after the season. The Jags won the final four consecutive series over the Bobcats, and claimed its first sweep over Texas State since 2017.
- The Jaguar bullpen did not allow an earned run in the weekend series across 15 scoreless innings.
- Marc Stephens' game-tying sixth inning homer was his second of the season. He was 1-3 at the plate and drew two walks to score twice.
- Ethan Melton's go-ahead two-RBI double in the eighth was his team-leading 15th of the season and third in the series, as part of a 2-4 day.
- Mike Young tallied a two-hit afternoon and scored twice.
- Jake Middleton went a scoreless frame before Jacob Haley took over and shoved career-highs of 3.2 shutout innings of work and five strikeouts, while only allowing a hit in his outing.
QUOTABLE
HEAD COACH MARK CALVI
"Our bullpen was fantastic today and all weekend. For Gonzo today, far from his best start, but went 4.1 and kept us in there. I thought Middleton did a fantastic job today, coming in and just holding it where it was. Took a little bit for the offense to get going and credit to their lefty, he was really good. We stayed the course offensively and grinded it out. Melton with the big double, Stephens homer, and Rett RBI. But man, team win, with our bullpen being absolutely fantastic and had great at-bats when we needed to."
ON DECK
The Jaguars head home to finish the home-away season series with Alabama State, when the Hornets come to Stanky Field on Tuesday night, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. (CT).
FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of University South Alabama baseball, follow the Jaguars on social media @SouthAlabamaBSB (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @southalabamabsb on Instagram, or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at
USAJaguars.com.
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