HATTIESBURG, Miss. – No. 15 Southern Miss overcame a 3-0 deficit to topple UTSA, 4-3, in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Saturday at Pete Taylor Park.
The Golden Eagles (14-4, 2-0 C-USA) started their comeback with two runs in the sixth inning. Matthew Guidry provided a seventh-inning single that drove in Mason Irby in the seventh to tie the game.
An inning later, LeeMarcus Boyd slid headfirst into first base as a throw from shortstop bounced away and Fred Franklin scored the go-ahead run.
The Roadrunners (7-10, 0-2 C-USA) threatened in the ninth, as Chase Keng reached on an infield single and Garrett Moon hammered a ball in the gap that was run down at the wall to end the contest.
Bradley Griggs (0-1) was saddled with the loss, as the left-hander gave up one run in 1.1 innings.
J.C. Keys (1-1) earned the win after limiting UTSA a run on two hits in 3.1 stanzas out of the bullpen. Matt Wallner pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the year.
The Roadrunners broke the scoring seal in the third inning, as Aldo Buendia doubled, driving in Keng from second base.
A frame later, Tony Beam belted the first pitch over the wall in left field to double UTSA's advantage.
The Birds tacked on a final tally in the sixth.
Ben Brookover drew a one-out walk and moved to third on Chris Estrada's double. Dylan Rock then hit a grounder to short that allowed Brookover to cross the plate.
Buendia and Keng finished with two hits apiece to pace UTSA.
The series finale has been moved up to 10 a.m. Sunday. The Roadrunners will send Chase Kirby (0-2) to the mound in hopes of salvaging the set.
