02/19/06–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAGS FINISH WEEKEND RIGHT WITH 6-3 WIN OVER
SOUTHERN MISS
SOUTHERN MISS TAKES HOME CLASSIC
TITLE
Box
Score
CONTACT:
Kevin Sytko
MOBILE,
Ala. - Behind timely batting and solid pitching from Jag
senior David Freese, the University South Alabama was able to capture
a 6-3 victory in the final game of the 2006 Coca-Cola Classic Sunday
afternoon at Stanky Field.
South Alabama
wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first
inning, Tyler Jones walked and Patrick Weaver then executed a perfect
hit and run to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Freese
followed with a walk to load the bases. Southern Miss starting pitcher
Patrick Ezell avoided the major blow only giving up one run, that
coming on a fielder’s choice by Guillermo Martinez.
Southern Miss
took the lead, 3-1, in the top of the second, taking advantage of
three Jaguar errors. Golden Eagle right fielder David Steel, picked
up the only RBI of the frame, when he singled, scoring USM catcher
Kevin Coker. The two other runs in the inning were unearned, courtesy
to the USA miscues.
The Jags fought
back to tie the contest at three in the bottom of the second. With
two out and the bases loaded, Freese ripped a single to right center
field, plating David Doss and Jones. For Freese, the single extended
his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games.
South Alabama
retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Ben Daw doubled
down the left field line. Bill Kleinschrodt then blooped a base
hit to left field just in front of a charging Michael Ewing. Daw’s
aggressive base running allowed him to barley beat the play at the
plate, giving USA a 4-3 lead.
Southern Miss
looked to get something going in the top of the fifth inning when
Trey Sutton singled to right field. However, Kleinschrodt fired
behind Sutton as he rounded first catching him off the base. Freese
then induced two ground balls to kill the rally and preserve the
one run lead.
USA padded its
lead in the bottom of the eighth when Freese ripped a single up
the middle scoring Jeff Morris and Jones who both walked. At the
end of eighth, USA led 6-3.
“I was
really proud of our guys and the way that they battled late in the
game,” said South Alabama baseball head coach Steve Kittrell.
“We didn’t play well early, but we settled down and
played well from the mid-point on. We were finally able to get the
clutch hit we have been looking for from David Freese. He had many
big hits for us and pitched extremely well today. This was a big
win for our team and for our confidence.”
Freese picked
up his first win of the season in just his second start as a Jag.
He went six innings giving up two runs, only one of which was earned.
He also was 2-for-4 and had four RBI’s on the day, giving
him 17 on the season. Billy Kleinschrodt also contributed a pair
of base knocks for the Jags.
USM’s
Ezell picked up the loss, allowing four runs in five and two-thirds
innings of work. Toddric Johnson had a game-high three hits for
the Golden Eagles.
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