MOBILE, Ala. — Jarron Cito struck out a career-high 11 batters in a complete-game 11-1 win Sunday at Eddie Stanky Field as the No. 25 South Alabama baseball team completed a three-game Sun Belt Conference sweep of Arkansas-Little Rock.
The No. 25 Jaguar softball team also swept its weekend series, winning three games at FIU.
Boyle Shuts Down UALR in Opener
Brandon Boyle pitched seven shutout innings for his first career win at Eddie Stanky Field as South Alabama won Friday’s opener 4-3. Boyle struck out seven, allowed three hits and one walk, and retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced.
Dylan Stamey earned his first career save, striking out four and allowing one run on one hit in 1 1/3 innings.
Jaguars Rally Twice to Win in 11 Innings
South Alabama needed two late comebacks to win Saturday’s game 6-5 in 11 innings.
Cole Billingsley tied the game with a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extra innings. UALR went back in front 5-4 on a two-out solo home run in the top of the 11th.
In the bottom of the 11th, Robby Campbell reached on a one-out error by the shortstop and stole second. Brent Mitchell walked, and Graham Odom loaded the bases with an infield single. Billingsley was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run. Bud Collura then grounded to shortstop, and the throw to second base sailed wide of the bag, allowing Mitchell to score the winning run.
Cito’s Complete Game Completes the Sweep
Cito allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk over seven innings in Sunday’s 11-1 victory. He retired the final 11 batters he faced, and the outing was South Alabama’s first complete game of the season and the second of his career.
The Jaguars improved to 21-4 overall and 5-1 in the Sun Belt, tied with Western Kentucky for first place. UALR fell to 10-14 and 0-6.
South Alabama plays at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Softball Sweeps FIU
The South Alabama softball team clinched its series at FIU on Saturday with 11-5 and 10-0 doubleheader wins, outhitting the Panthers 20-6 with four home runs on the day.
Five Jaguars had multiple hits Saturday. Brittany Fowler, Kaitlyn Griffith and Emily Messer had four hits apiece, Julie Moss had three and Britany Campbell had two.
Moss drove in seven runs Saturday. Fowler drove in six, including three on a would-be grand slam that was ruled a single after an appeal showed she had not touched second base.
Farish Beard pitched a complete game to win the opener despite allowing five earned runs in the sixth inning; her ERA stands at 1.79. Hannah Campbell, a junior, threw her 12th complete game and fifth shutout of the season in the second game, improving to 12-5 and lowering her league-leading ERA to 0.93.
South Alabama completed its first series sweep of the season with an 8-5 win Sunday. The Jaguars led 6-0 after 2 1/2 innings, added two runs in the top of the fifth and held off a late two-run push by FIU. Campbell threw her 13th complete game, improving to 13-5 and lowering her ERA to 0.87, still the best in the Sun Belt.
The Jaguars host LSU at Jaguar Field on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
