JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama outscored Arkansas State 30-5 in a three-game Sun Belt Conference baseball sweep over the weekend, highlighted by a 20-2 rout on Saturday, and Kyle Bartsch tied the school record for career saves.
The Jaguars improved to 27-10 overall and 10-5 in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State fell to 19-17 and 6-9.
Cito, Bell, Noble Lead Sweep of Arkansas State
Jarron Cito earned the win in Friday’s 6-2 opener, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings with five strikeouts and one walk. South Alabama broke the game open with four runs in the fourth inning. Dylan Stamey struck out four and walked one in 1 2/3 innings for the second save of his career.
On Saturday, the Jaguars pounded out 21 hits and scored in eight of nine innings in a 20-2 victory, one hit shy of tying their season high. Matt Bell pitched a career-long eight innings and tied his career high with nine strikeouts, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk.
Nine different Jaguars recorded hits. Jeff DeBlieux went 5-for-7 with two triples, three RBIs and two runs scored. Nick Zaharion went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs, a career-high five RBIs and two runs. Nolan Earley went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs.
Jacob Noble closed the series with seven innings in Sunday’s 4-1 win, allowing one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks. It was his fourth win of the season and his first against a Sun Belt opponent.
Bartsch struck out two in one inning of work for his eighth save of the season and the 18th of his career, tying former Jaguar Blaine Dollar for the school record.
Tied for First With Western Kentucky
South Alabama and Western Kentucky share first place in the Sun Belt at 10-5, with Florida Atlantic next at 9-5. The Jaguars play at Florida State in Tallahassee on Tuesday before hosting Western Kentucky in a three-game conference series this weekend at Eddie Stanky Field.
Softball Sweeps North Texas Doubleheader
The South Alabama softball team swept a Saturday doubleheader from North Texas, winning the opener 3-2 on a walk-off home run by Blair Johnson, her second game-winning homer of the season.
Hannah Campbell pitched a complete game for her 17th win, allowing seven hits and two unearned runs with eight strikeouts and one walk.
The Jaguars won the second game 12-1 in five innings for their 11th run-rule victory of the season. South Alabama scored 11 runs on nine hits in the first two innings, and Julie Moss hit her sixth home run of the season for a 2-0 lead.
Farish Beard also earned her 17th win, allowing one run on two hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in 4 1/3 innings. Jessica Dobson finished the game, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.
Sunday’s scheduled game was canceled because of weather.
South Alabama improved to 37-7 overall and 13-3 in the Sun Belt, while North Texas fell to 18-19 and 6-9. The Jaguars lead the conference by one game in the win column over Western Kentucky, which is 12-3.
