University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Lehigh
Baseball Cruises to 18-1 Victory in Season Opener
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss - Southern Miss opened the 2009 baseball season by winning their seventh consecutive season opener with an 18-1 victory over Lehigh University Friday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park in front of 3,133 fans.
"I was encouraged the way we came out and swung the bats," head coach Corky Palmer said. "We were able to play a lot of different guys tonight, many of which was their first collegiate game."
Brian Dozier led the 15 hit attack going four-for-five at the plate with three RBI and three runs scored to pace the Southern Miss offense. Travis Graves, Corey Stevens and Taylor Walker all chipped in two hits a piece.
The No. 33 ranked Golden Eagles (1-0) exploded for seven runs in the second innings behind Stevens' bases loaded triple and Brian Dozier's two-RBI double. Graves and Tyler Koelling also added in RBI single to cap off the scoring in the frame.
James Ewing added an RBI double in the bottom of the third inning to stretch the lead to 8-0 and Michael Ewing added a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth for a 10-0 Golden Eagle advantage.
Starting pitcher Todd McInnis worked six complete innings allowing only five hits while striking out four to pick up his first win of the season. JR Ballanger and Jonathan Johnston finished off the game without allowing an earned run and Johnston struck out four in his two innings of work.
Lehigh (0-1) scored their only run of the game in the top of the seventh without the benefit of a hit, taking advantage of two JR Ballinger walks and a Brian Dozier error.
Southern Miss answered right back as Bo Davis tripled to straight away centerfield plating two more runs for the Golden Eagles. The triple was Davis' 12th of his career moving into second place all time. Dozier followed with his third RBI of the game to scored Davis from third and make the score 13-1.
The Golden Eagle would ad six more runs in the game, three of which were unearned to finish off the scoring.
The two teams will meet for the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon at "The Pete" with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.
-southernmiss.com-
