MOBILE, Ala. -The University of South Alabama held a 12-3 eighth inning lead, but saw Arkansas State rally to score eight runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth to take a 14-12 win from the Jags at Stanky Field Saturday afternoon. USA drops to 35-17 overall and 15-7 in conference play.
Chase Christianson took the loss for USA going one inning allowing four runs. His record is now 7-3. Arkansas State’s late inning heroics spoiled a great start by Zach Piccola. Piccola went a season long 7.1 innings, striking out four and walking just one.
Saturday’s defeat leaves a sour taste the mouths of the Jag offense, which ripped 18 hits and scored 12 runs. The Jags collected six extra-base hits, including two homeruns. David Doss and Patrick Weaver each went deep for USA.
The Indians jumped on Piccola in the first inning. With two out and the bases empty, pre-season player of the year, Brett Kinning launched his seventh homerun of the season. The solo-shot made the score 1-0 ASU.
Arkansas State added to its lead in the top of the second inning when ASU loaded the bases with one out, thanks to a base hit by Guy Brown, a double by Jeremy Lyons and a hit by pitch to Josh Allison. Piccola then induced a ground ball to Martinez at short, but Tyler Doke beat the throw to first. The fielder’s choice gave Doke an RBI and ASU a two run lead. The Indians plated one more run in the inning when Piccola uncorked a wild pitch plating Lyons.
USA got on the board and took the lead in the third inning. The Jags collected six hits on their way to four runs. Weaver, David Freese and Jeff Cunningham all singled. Doss then doubled down the left field line to plate Freese. Joel Collins capped the scoring with an RBI single, making the score 4-3 USA.
The Jags added to their lead with three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tyler Jones got it started with a perfect bunt single. Weaver then hammered his seventh homerun of the season to right field, giving USA a 6-2 lead. Freese followed with a double to left center field. He scored the seventh USA run on an Aaron George sacrifice fly, making the score USA seven, ASU three.
USA continued to pour on the runs with two more in the fifth. Jeff Morris doubled and moved to third on another Jones base hit bunt. Weaver then drove home Morris with a single and Freese drove home Jones with a ground out leaving the score at 9-3.
South Alabama plated three more runs in the sixth, two of which were unearned. Doss led off with his seventh homerun of the season. The Jags then took advantage of two ASU throwing errors to score the 12th and 13th runs. Collins and Morris both scored with Morris picking up an RBI.
ASU got right back into the game with an eight spot in the eighth inning. Eight runs were scored on eight hits. Piccola, Eric Gonzalez and Christianson all saw action in the eighth inning.
The ninth inning saw Arkansas State pull ahead with three runs. Christianson gave up five hits, all singles to score the tying and go-ahead runs. Elliot Jacobs delivered the big blow with a bases loaded, two-out, two strike, two RBI single over Martinez at short. ASU added another run on a bounding ball base hit to left field to make the score 14-12.
The Jags came to the plate in the ninth looking to rally. Weaver drew a lead off walk which brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Freese. On the first pitch, Freese bounced into a 6-4-3 double play. Michael Cart then grounded to short to end the game.
