Mobile, Ala. ? South Alabama needed a series win to keep their conference tournament hopes alive and pulled out late inning heroics in a 11-10 victory over Florida International, Sunday afternoon.
With two-on and two-out in the bottom of the ninth, redshirt-freshman Sean Laird drove in David Doss with a walk-off single to keep USA’s chances alive. The Jags improved to 24-21 overall and 9-14 in the conference. Brett Turner picked up his second win of the year, while Evan Ellison took the loss for FIU, falling to 1-4. The Golden Panthers moved to 24-32 for the year and 11-12 in the conference.
South Alabama opened up the scoring early, picking up four runs in the bottom of the first. After Lance Heisler led off the game with an infield single and Clint Toomey was hit by a pitch, David Doss launched his sixth home run of the season over the left center field fence. Jeff Cunningham then sent a 2-2 pitch over the right center wall for back-to-back home runs and a 4-0 lead.
Florida International and USA traded runs in the third, before FIU took the lead in the top of the fourth. The Golden Panthers roughed up USA starter Brandon Sage for five runs on six base hits, including a two-run homerun over the left centerfield fence by Luis Bautista.
South Alabama took a 7-6 lead in the sixth on a Joel Collins homerun and Chris Davis scored on a two-out bunt by Lance Heisler.
FIU took back the lead in the top of the seventh, before Russell Harben pinch hit and pounded the first pitch he saw over the left center field fence, tying the game at eight. Heisler reached third after he singled, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. With the infield in, Clint Toomey drove home Heisler on a single through the left side, making the score 9-8. Toomey advanced to second on a stolen base and went to third and scored on two wild pitches, giving USA its 10th run.
FIU gained one run back in top of the eight, but Brett Turner came in to close the door when he got Bautista to line out to third.
The Panthers fought back to tie the game in the top of the ninth at 10-10. Bryan Pullin walked to open the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, he advanced to third on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, pinch hitter Kevin Marabal drove a ball to right center, which fell just beyond the outstretched glove of a diving Heisler, scoring Pullin.
With the game tied and runners at first and third, Laird delivered his heroics on the first pitch he saw from Ellison. Despite a dive from Chris Dunn, the ball fell in and USA keeps its post-season hopes alive.
South Alabama will be hitting the road as they travel to Wichita State to take on the No. 11 Shockers at Eck Stadium, Tuesday and Wednesday. Both games are at 7 p.m. and can be heard on WNSP 105.5 or live stats can be accessed at usajaguars.com.
