University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Downs Southeastern Louisiana, 3-1
4/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Southern Miss Downs Southeastern Louisiana, 3-1
HAMMOND, La. - Southern Miss' Jeff Cook hit his seventh home run of the season over the right centerfield wall to lead off the top of the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie, and Cliff Russum pitched his second-straight complete-game to lead the Golden Eagles to a 3-1 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, tonight, at Alumni Field.
Russum (3-4) gave up one run on three hits, walked three and struck out nine batters, earning his third win of the season. Jeremy Mizell (1-5) also pitched an outstanding game for the Lions, giving up three runs on seven hits in 8.1 innings, walking two and striking out 11 batters. Risley St. Germain finished the game, pitching the final two outs of the ninth inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.
"Cliff had an outstanding performance on the mound for us, tonight," Southern Miss Head Coach Corky Palmer said. "He gave up a couple of walks and a hit early and then settled down and had good command throughout the rest of the game. It was a tight game throughout, and we were able to pull out the victory.
"I want to give Southeastern Louisiana a lot of credit. Their pitcher had an outstanding performance as well. It was good to see Jeff step up and have the big hit to break open the game. I am proud of the effort by the team tonight. We now have to get ready to travel to Cincinnati for another conference series.
Southern Miss (21-8) scored three hits on eight hits and committed two errors, and Southeastern Louisiana (7-18) finished with one run on three hits. The Golden Eagles left five on base and turned two doubles plays and the Lions left four on base.
Clint King led the Golden Eagles with three hits in four at bats and scored a run. Cook had two hits in four at bats, and Griff Israel finished with a hit and an RBI. Jeff Janzen led the Lions with two hits in four at bats and drove in a run.
Southern Miss scored in its first at bat. Matt Shepherd walked, advanced to third on Cook's single to right field and then scored on Brad Willcutt's fly to center. Southeastern Louisiana tied the score in the bottom of the inning. Graham Martin drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on an error by Hoffpauir. Anthony Garibaldi struck out, and Mark Weinmunson walked, putting runners on first and third. Jeff Janzen singled to center to score Martin from third before Russell Taylor flew out to right to end the inning.
After Cook's homer in the ninth, the Golden Eagles added an insurance run when Clint King hit a one-out double to left center and then scored on Griff Israel's single up the middle.
Southern Miss travels for a three-game Conference USA weekend series to Cincinnati on May 4-6. Friday's game begins at 2 p.m., Saturday's at Noon, and Sunday's at 11:30 a.m. All times are central.
