MOBILE, Ala. — Davis Knapp lined a bases-loaded single through the left side of the infield in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night, giving South Alabama baseball a 5-4 walk-off win over Nicholls State at Eddie Stanky Field.
The victory lifted the Jaguars to 13-10 on the season. Nicholls State fell to 13-13.
Knapp finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including the hit that tied the game in the second inning and the one that ended it in the ninth.
Colonels Strike First
Nicholls State took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second. Back-to-back walks and a one-out single loaded the bases, and Justin Holt cleared them with a two-out double down the left-field line.
South Alabama answered with three runs in the bottom half. Cole Jarman and Cameron Cummings drew consecutive one-out walks, and Andrew Tindell reached on an error by the Nicholls State second baseman that allowed Jarman to score from second. Drew LaBounty followed with an RBI single to right-center to make it 3-2, and two batters later Knapp singled to right-center with two outs to bring Tindell home and tie the game.
Soleymani Escapes Third-Inning Jam
The Colonels went back in front 4-3 in the third. Keith Cormier drew a one-out walk and scored on an RBI single to right field. Nicholls State loaded the bases against Jaguar starter Matt Bell later in the inning, but Hunter Soleymani came on in relief and got out of the jam without allowing another run.
South Alabama pulled even in the fourth. LaBounty singled to center with two outs and moved to third on a single to right by Ballew. When Ballew attempted to steal second, the Nicholls State catcher’s throw went awry, and LaBounty scored to tie the game 4-4.
Ninth-Inning Rally
The score held until the bottom of the ninth. Cummings and Tindell opened the inning with back-to-back walks, and a sacrifice bunt by LaBounty moved both runners into scoring position. Knapp then took a 1-0 pitch through the left side, scoring Cummings with the winning run.
Right-hander Ben Taylor earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three and walked one.
Up Next
South Alabama returns to Sun Belt Conference play this weekend with a three-game home series against UT Arlington at Eddie Stanky Field. The series opener is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
