04/22/06–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAGS
FINISH GAME ONE 1-0 AND WIN GAME TWO 12-6 OVER MIDDLE TENNESSEE
CONTACT:
Kevin Sytko
Box
Score Game One
Box
Score Game Two
Game Two
MOBILE,
Ala. - South Alabama battled back from a four run deficit
and blew the game open with eight runs in the home half of the eighth
inning, to take a 12-6 decision over Middle Tennessee, at Stanky
Field Saturday afternoon. With the win in game two, USA improves
to 28-15 on the season and 9-5 in Sun Belt action. USA has won six
consecutive conference games. Middle Tennessee is now 18-16 and
5-6 in SBC play.
Patrick Weaver
and Jeff Cunningham led the way offensively for the Jags. Weaver
went 4-for-5 with an RBI and Cunningham went 3-for-5 with three
batted in. Chase Christianson picked up the win in relief to improve
to 6-2. Christianson also picked up the win in the conclusion of
game one, and takes both wins.
“It was
a good day for South Alabama baseball,” said Jaguar head coach
Steve Kittrell. “When you’re on a win streak you tend
to believe. It’s a game of confidence and our guys are confident.”
Middle Tennessee
opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth
inning. Nathan Hines led off with an infield single. Wayne Kendrick
then followed with a soft line drive to right center. Michael McKenry
then bounced a ball through the right side, to plate the first Blue
Raider run of the series. A ground out by Adam Warren scored Kendrick
and a single to left field by Josh Horn plated McKenry for the 3-0
Middle Tennessee lead.
The Jags got
a single run back in the bottom of the fourth inning. USA freshman
and Cantonment, Fla. native David Doss, smacked his sixth home run
of the season, a long solo blast to left field, against a stiff
wind.
The Blue Raiders
added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning when Chase Eakes
walked to open the inning. Pitching coach Ronnie Powell then went
to Doss out of the pen. Jeff Beachum then dropped a bunt single,
to put two on with nobody out. Hines sacrificed the two runners
into scoring position. Back-to-back singles by Kendrick and McKenry
pushed the MT lead to 5-1.
South Alabama
cut into the Middle Tennessee lead with two runs on three consecutive
hits. Patrick Weaver lashed a double inside the bag at third to
lead off the inning. David Freese then singled through the left
side, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Cunningham then
bounced a two-RBI single over Blue Raider first baseman Matt Campbell,
making the score 5-3, Middle Tennessee.
The Jags got
within one run when they scored a single run in the bottom of the
sixth inning. Tyler Jones picked up a one-out double to the left
center field gap. After Weaver was retired Freese doubled to left
field scoring Jones and getting the Jags within one.
Middle Tennessee
pushed across one run in the top of the eighth to take a two run
lead. Horn got it started with a double down the right field line.
After Campbell reached on an error, Chase Eakes picked up an RBI
double down the right field line.
South Alabama
blew the game open the bottom of the eighth inning when it sent
13 men to the plate and scored eight runs. Weaver walked to open
the inning and went to third when Beachum booted a potential double-play
ball. The Jags then opened the flood gates. The next 10 batters
reached base, highlighted by a Cunningham two-run double and a Freese
double. At the end of the eighth inning USA lead 12-6.
Christianson
took over in the eighth inning and went an inning and two thirds
picking up his sixth win of the season and his second of the day.
Jag starter Zach Piccola went four innings and did not figure in
the decision.
USA looks for
the sweep of the Blue Raiders on Sunday. Joey Doan will take the
hill for USA. He will be opposed by Chad Edwards. Game time is set
for 1 p.m. and Live Stats can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com.
Game
One
The South Alabama
Jaguars waited through an 80 minute rain delay and an overnight
delay before scoring a single run in the bottom of the 13th inning
to win, 1-0. South Alabama has now won its last two extra inning
games.
Joel Collins
had three hits in the Jag win. Patrick Weaver eventually picked
up the winning RBI with a base hit up the middle to plate Jeff Morris.
Weaver finished the game with a pair of hits along with the lone
RBI.
Pitching was
the story Friday night. P.J. Walters and Matt Scott dueled through
the night, each pitching what would normally been complete games.
In the end neither pitcher figured in the decision. A result that
was fortunate, seeing as though neither pitcher deserved a loss.
USA starter
P.J. Walters and Middle Tennessee’s Matt Scott dominated the
early innings. Through six innings, Scott and Walters had allowed
only four hits apiece. Each pitcher pitched out of a jam in the
seventh. Walters allowed Todd Martin to get to second with nobody
out but got a ground out and back-to-back strikeouts to end the
inning. Scott also avoided giving up a run after David Freese and
Jeff Cunningham each singled to put runners on the corners with
one out. David Doss and Aaron George were unable to put a ball in
play, as both went down to nasty Scott sliders.
Walters again
got off the hook in the top of the eighth. Jeff Beachum ripped a
single to right field with one out to get it started. Nathan Hines
then singled through the right side, putting runners on the corners,
with one down. Walters got the second out when Wayne Kendrick grounded
back to the mound. Walters fielded the ball and threw home to cut
off the run. After a brief rundown, the Jags had their second out.
Walters then challenged Michael McHenry with a 2-0 fast ball. Tyler
Jones was able to run it down in center to retire the side.
Middle Tennessee
got its leadoff hitter on base to start the ninth when Martin walked
on four pitches. A fielder’s choice by Warren erased Martin
for the first out. Walters then fanned Marcus Taylor on a great
changeup to record the second out and got Josh Horn to ground out
to end the Blue Raider ninth.
The Jags won
it in the ninth after Jones was hit by a pitch to lead off. Patrick
Weaver then dropped a sacrifice bunt to move Jones up 90 feet. The
Blue Raiders then intentionally walked Freese to set up the double
play. Cunningham flew out to center field, which Jones tagged up
on, moving to third with two out.
Walters and
Scott both were relieved after the tenth inning. Allan Woodward
took over for the Blue Raiders and Chase Christianson took over
for USA.
In the top of
the 11th inning Christianson got Kendrick to pop out to center.
With one out McKenry singled up the middle. Christianson ran the
count full to Martin, which put the runner in motion. Christianson
blew a high fastball past Martin and Collins threw out McKenry to
end the inning.
The rain came
again in the middle of the 13th inning. With heavy weather on the
way officials decided to delay the game for the threat of rain.
Saturday afternoon
the game was picked up in the 13 inning. With Morris on first and
nobody out, Jones dropped a sacrifice bunt. Blue Raider pitcher
Josh Anderson fielded the bunt and threw wildly into center field.
Morris moved to third and scored the game winner on a Weaver single
up the middle.
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