02/05/06–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAGS OPEN SEASON WITH 8-0 WIN OVER GRAMBLING
Box
Score
CONTACT:
Kevin Sytko
MOBILE,
Ala. - Behind
a strong pitching performance from junior right-hander P.J. Walters
and back-to-back home runs from seniors Patrick Weaver and David
Freese the USA Jaguars opened the 2006 baseball season with an 8-0
win over Grambling State at Stanky Field Sunday afternoon.
The Jags got
their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth in a big
way. Weaver launched a long home run to right center field off of
Grambling starter Demetrius Marshal. Freese then hammered Marshal’s
next offering over the center field wall to give the Jags back-to-back
home runs and a two run lead.
USA padded its
lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Tyler Jones reached
on a lead off error to Grambling first baseman Marvin Mercer. Jones
then stole second and Weaver advanced Jones to third via a ground
out to second base. Freese then lifted a sacrifice fly to center
field, pushing the Jag lead to 3-0.
In the bottom
of the eighth, the Jags blew the game open. Jeff Morris led off
with a single to left center. Jones reached on an error to by Mercer
when his throw pulled Tiger short stop Jason Gipson off of the bag.
Gipson then threw high of first allowing Morris to go to third.
Tiger pitcher Darrell Law then balked in Morris and moved Jones
to second. Weaver dropped down a bunt single putting men on first
and third, pushing the lead to 4-0. Freese then grounded to short,
which Gipson again mishandled. Weaver scored making the score 6-0.
USA scored its seventh run of the game and fourth of the inning
when Jeff Cunningham laced an RBI single to center. The final South
Alabama run of the frame was scored when Law walked Martinez via
a wild pitch which forced across the eighth and final run.
“The score
of today’s game did not indicate the type of game it actually
was,” said Jaguar head coach Steve Kittrell. “Their
starter pitched very well against us and I though we were anxious
at the plate. We finally got some breaks at the end and broke it
open. P.J. was strong for us and pitched out of a big jam.”
Walters, making
the opening day start, was dominant in his six innings of work.
He allowed only four hits, while fanning nine batters. Walters improved
to 1-0 in 2006, picking up his 21st career victory. Marshal took
the loss for Grambling State, which falls to 0-1 on the season.
USA improves to 24-18 in opening games in its 42 year history.
The Jags return
to action Monday afternoon, as they take on Grambling in the final
game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets
can be purchased at the USA ticket office by calling 460-6047.
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