University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Alabama Edges Southern Miss, 4-3
4/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Alabama Edges Southern Miss, 4-3
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama scored two runs in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth to edge Southern Miss, 4-3, tonight, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide also received an outstanding pitching performance from reliever Ron Reed, who spread five hits over four innings, picking up the win.
Alabama?s Peter Stonard and Jeremy Brown led off the eighth inning with back to back walks. After Beau Hearod struck out, Brent Boyd was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Allen Rice flew out to center, plating Stonard from third and Adam Pavkovich singled to left, driving in Boyd for the winning run.
After the first two Golden Eagle batters grounded out to short in the ninth inning, Allen Winningham hit an infield single and Jeff Cook singled through the right side, before Brad Willcutt struck out to end the game.
?Our relief pitching just didn?t have it tonight,? Southern Miss Head Coach Corky Palmer said. ?Brian (Hurley) didn?t have his good stuff tonight, and Stephen (Castleman)pitched as well as he could on a few days rest after pitching on Sunday. Daniel (Stewart) pitched well tonight, and we spotted him a lead, but he ran out of gas in the seventh. We left too many runners on base and didn?t score any runs off of Reed.?
Alabama (23-5) scored four runs on eight hits and committed two errors, and Southern Miss (18-11) scored three runs on 11 hits and didn?t have any errors. The Tide left eight runners on base, while the Golden Eagles left 10 runners on base.
Brian Hurley (2-1) dropped his first decision of the season, pitching one-third of an inning, giving up two runs on one hit and walked three. Castleman finished the game, pitching the final inning, giving up one hit and striking out one. Stewart started the game, pitching the first 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four.
After four scoreless innings, Southern Miss struck first, scoring two runs on three hits. Allen Winningham singled through the left side of the infield, moved to third on Jeff Cook?s double to left field and both scored when Brad Willcutt doubled down the left field line.
The Golden Eagles added another run in the sixth inning, pushing the lead to 3-0. Jarrett Hoffpauir reached third on an error by right fielder Peter Stonard. Jason Lowery then singled to left field, driving in Hoffpauir.
Alabama came roaring back in the seventh inning, scoring two runs and cutting the Southern Miss to one, 3-2. Beau Hearod hit a solo homer to left center with one out. Brent Boyd doubled to center before Adam Pavkovich?s double to left scored Boyd for the second run of the inning.
Southern Miss travels to Charlotte for a three-game Conference USA weekend series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. Saturday?s game is at 2 p.m., and Sunday?s game begins at 1 p.m.
