HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Matt Bell held Southern Miss to one run on two hits over 6 1/3 innings Wednesday night as South Alabama baseball beat the Golden Eagles 5-1 for its fourth consecutive win.
The victory moved the Jaguars to 9-7 on the season heading into the start of Sun Belt Conference play.
Bell Controls Golden Eagles
Bell struck out four and walked two to earn his second win of the season. He retired the first six batters he faced before issuing a leadoff walk in the third inning. A few batters later, Nick Dawson delivered a two-out single that gave Southern Miss a 1-0 lead. It was the only run the Golden Eagles managed.
Brandon Hallford closed out the game with 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief, striking out three to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Jones Delivers Go-Ahead Hit
South Alabama took the lead in the top of the fifth. Drew LaBounty led off with a single to center field and moved to second when Davis Knapp reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Bud Collura then bunted both runners into scoring position, and Hayden Jones followed with a single to right field that drove in both runs for a 2-1 Jaguar lead.
South Alabama carried a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning and added two insurance runs in the top of the frame.
Sun Belt Opener Against Troy
The Jaguars open Sun Belt play this weekend with a three-game home series against in-state rival Troy at Eddie Stanky Field in Mobile. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
