MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Three South Alabama pitchers combined on a one-hitter Tuesday as the Jaguars beat Alabama State 5-1.
The South Alabama baseball win improved the Jaguars to 15-3 as they prepare to open Sun Belt Conference play this weekend at Troy.
Bell Goes a Career-Long 5 2/3
Starter Matt Bell improved to 3-0, allowing one run on one hit over a career-high 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.
James Traylor followed with 2 1/3 hitless innings of relief, striking out two. Jordan Patterson retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out one, to earn the save.
Fast Start
South Alabama scored three runs in the first inning. The Jaguars opened with a triple, and the runner scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead. They later loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter, then added runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to make it 3-0.
A passed ball in the top of the fourth brought home another run for a 4-0 lead.
Hornets’ Lone Run
Bell faced the minimum through 3 1/3 innings before allowing a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth. Alabama State scored its only run that inning when a runner was caught trying to steal second and another runner crossed the plate during the rundown.
South Alabama added a run in the top of the eighth for the final margin.
Pitching Line
- Matt Bell (W, 3-0): 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 SO
- James Traylor: 2 1/3 IP, 0 H, 2 SO
- Jordan Patterson (S): 1 IP, 0 H, 1 SO
Up Next
South Alabama begins its Sun Belt schedule this weekend with a series at Troy.
