MOBILE, Ala. — Matt Bolger hit a two-run triple in his first at-bat as a Jaguar, and South Alabama scored three runs in the second inning on the way to a 4-2 baseball win over Jacksonville State on Tuesday night at Eddie Stanky Field.
The win improved South Alabama to 3-4. Jacksonville State fell to 4-3.
Three-Run Second
Matt Wojciechowski opened the bottom of the second with a double to right-center, and Erik Hindmon drew a walk. Bolger followed with a triple to left-center that scored both runners for a 2-0 lead. Cameron Cummings added an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Gates Earns First Jaguar Win
Left-hander Jared Gates allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four without a walk, to earn his first win at South Alabama. Gates faced the minimum through five innings.
Andre Bishop led off the sixth with a single for the Gamecocks, and Tyler Gamble followed with an RBI double to cut the lead to 3-1.
In the seventh, designated hitter Paschal Petrongolo doubled to center with two outs and was replaced by pinch runner Ty Pierce, who scored on an RBI double by Ryan Sebra to make it 3-2.
Insurance Run and Save
South Alabama answered in the bottom of the seventh. Drew LaBounty led off with a single to center and later scored on Bud Collura’s one-out RBI single to left.
Jacksonville State put the tying run on base in the eighth against James Traylor with a leadoff double and a walk. Brandon Hallford entered with no outs and retired three straight batters, two on strikeouts. Hallford pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn his first save at South Alabama.
Teams Meet Again Wednesday
South Alabama and Jacksonville State are scheduled to play again Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Stanky Field.
