04/14/06–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USA
WINS FIRST EXTRA-INNING GAME OF THE SEASON WITH 9-8 WIN OVER UALR
CONTACT:
Kevin Sytko
Box
Score
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - South Alabama
scored one run in the tenth inning to come out on the winning end
of a 9-8 decision at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock, Ark. USA collected
seven extra-base hits while improving to 23-15 and 5-5 in the conference.
UALR drops to 21-17 and 3-7 in SBC play.
David Freese
extended his hitting streak to nine games. Patrick Weaver and Freese
went back-to-back for the third time this season. P.J. Walters started
for the Jags, going 7.1 innings, fanning 6. Chase Christianson picked
up the win for USA improving his record to 4-2.
UALR took the
lead in the top of the first inning. Ryan Gotcher led off with a
single to right center field, which was followed by a bounding base
hit to left field by Brian Asbill. Jacob Stover was then hit by
a Walters fastball, to load the bases with nobody out. Walters got
Derek Eilers to pop, out for out number one. Matt King struck out
and USA was one out away from getting off the hook, until Brett
Lawler lined a two-out double to left field plating all three runs.
USA got on the
board in the top of the fifth inning with two runs. For the fourth
time this season, Jag hitters hit back-to-back home runs. Weaver
started it off with a moon shot to left field for his fourth of
the season. Freese followed with his eighth, a blast to left field
which cut the lead to 3-2.
The Trojans
added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Matt Garlington
led off with a double down the right field line. After Tyler Mason
was hit by a pitch, Asbill lifted a fly ball behind the second base
bag. David Doss looked to settle under it, but had his feet come
out from under him. Garlington scored on what was scored a double
to make the score 4-2.
The Jags scored
a single run in the top of the sixth inning. Aaron George has hit
by a pitch to lead off. Joel Collins then ripped a double down the
left field line. George hustled all the way around, scoring from
first, to cut the lead to 4-3.
South Alabama
took its first lead of the game in the top of the seventh inning,
when it scored four runs. Freese and Cunningham both walked with
one out, to put two runners on. Doss then grounded to second base,
which Asbill mishandled, loading the bases. George then ripped a
double down the right field line, plating Freese and Cunningham.
Ben Daw then followed with a rocket base hit to right center, also
plating a pair, and giving USA a 7-4 lead.
Arkansas-Little
Rock cut into the Jag lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Asbill
led off with an infield single which was followed by a Stover bunt
single. Eilers grounded to Daw at short and USA looked for its fourth
double play of the game but Doss’ throw got away from Michael
Cart at first, to allow the run to score and make it 7-5. King then
ripped a double down the left field line to score the sixth UALR
run and chasing Walters from the game. Chase Christianson came on
to face Lawler who flied to right field. Defensive replacement Lance
Heisler dropped the ball leading to the tying run. Brian Smiley
then singled to right field putting the Trojans up by a run at 8-7.
Things looked
bleak in the top of the ninth inning after Doss and Heisler struck
out. Daw got the rally started with a double into the right center
field gap. Collins followed with his second hit of the game which
plated Daw. Collins was retired to end the inning, but he forced
the defense to cut the throw home, allowing Daw to score.
Cart led off
the tenth inning and was hit by a pitch. Joey Doan ran for cart
and beat a close play at second when Jones sacrificed. Weaver then
bunted again, picking up a hit to load the bases. Freese then bounced
a ball up the middle, which Aspell booted, scoring Doan for the
one run the Jags needed.
Christianson
gave up a double in the bottom half of the tenth but eventually
got a fly ball to Heisler in right to end the game.
The Jags and
Little Rock will tangle int eh second game of the three game set
Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The game can be heard on WNSP 105.5.
Live Stats can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com
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