SAN ANTONIO -- Southern Miss used eight runs in the four innings to build an early lead and post a 9-1 win over UTSA baseball in the series opener, on Friday night at Roadrunner Field.
UTSA (11-9, 3-2 Conference USA) suffered the setback in the series opener as the Golden Eagles plated four runs in the first three innings, including single tallies in the first two innings, a two-run frame in the third and four in the fourth for an eight-run lead.
The Roadrunners were led at the dish by the 10th multi-hit game from senior first baseman Griffin Paxton, who extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 2-for-4 outing. UTSA also got a double from Joshua Lamb and singles from Kyle Bergeron and Dylan Rock.
UTSA starter Ryan Ward (0-3) worked three-plus innings, allowing three hits and four runs – three earned – walking four and striking out three.
After a leadoff walk to open the fourth, UTSA turned to freshman righty Kyle Sonduck, who got two outs, allowing a pair of runs on two walks and a strikeout. Lefty Jay Ward took over in the fourth, allowing a run on a hit batter and a walk. He was replaced in a bases-loaded, two-out jam by Fischer Kingsbery, who worked three innings, allowing a run on three hits and three walks, striking out a career-high six.
Zachary Griggs came on with two outs in the seventh, tossing 2.1 shutout innings, allowing a walk with a strikeout.
Southern Miss (15-9, 2-3 C-USA) starter Hunter Stanley (4-1) worked seven innings, allowing three hits and one run, walking two and striking out one. He entered the game owning a 53-8 walk-strikeout ratio. Hurston Waldrep opened the eighth in relief of Stanley and Blake Wehunt worked the ninth.
The series resumes on Saturday with a doubleheader, slated to start at 1 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.
The Golden Eagles struck first in the top of the first inning, getting a leadoff single from Gabe Montenegro and a walk from Reed Trimble. After a ground-ball double play pushed Montenegro to third, he scored on a passed ball.
USM added a run in the second, getting a leadoff walk and single, with Will McGillis driving home Reece Ewing with a sacrifice fly.
Charlie Fisher made it 4-0 USM in the third, belting a two-run homer that scored Reed Trimble, who drew a one-out walk.
The Golden Eagles added on in the fourth, plating four runs on six walks and a hit by pitch.
USM added on in the sixth, getting a one-out triple and a run-scoring double from Danny Lynch.
UTSA got a run back in the sixth inning, as Paxton tripled off the wall in leftfield with one out, scoring after Dylan Rock hung a sac fly to rightfield.
GAME NOTES: Freshman RHP Ryan Ward made his second career start in his fifth career outing … Senior DH Kyle Bergeron has reached in 15 straight games … Junior SS Joshua Lamb doubled for the team-leading eighth time on the year and the 15th time in his career … Lamb has reached base safely in 15 straight games … Freshman RHP Kyle Sonduck appeared in his third game of the year and the ninth of his career … Sophomore LHP Jay Ward pitched in his sixth game of the year … Freshman Fischer Kingsbery worked in his second game of the year … Junior Ryan Hunt made his UTSA debut … Senior 1B Griffin Paxton tripled for the first time on the year and the fifth time in his career … Paxton has an eight-game hitting streak … Junior CF Dylan Rock hung his first sac fly of the year and the 10th of his career … Kingsbery set a career high in innings and strikeouts … Redshirt junior RHP Zachary Griggs worked in his fourth game of the year and the 25th of his career … Paxton notched his team-leading 10th multi-hit game of the year … Sophomore Garrett Posten made his UTSA debut.
- UTSA -
