South Alabama Rallies Past State 8-7
MOBILE, Ala. --- The South Alabama Jaguars notched their third win over a ranked SEC opponent this year Tuesday night, besting No. 23 Mississippi State 8-7 at Stanky Field. The start of the game was delayed 93 minutes by rain.
USA (10-7) tied the game with a run in the seventh and plated the game-winning run on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Kyle Stanky in the eighth.
The Bulldogs scored all of their runs in two innings, taking a 3-0 lead in the first off USA starter Clark Girardeau and, after falling behind 6-3, regaining the lead with a four-run burst in the fifth. Jon Mungle belted a three-run home run to highlight the rally.
T.J. Touchstone had a pair of doubles and Erik Smallwood a solo home run to lead USA's 11-hit attack.
Jaguar leadoff hitter Shane Scoville struck out to open the eighth inning, but reached base when catcher Jason Burkley was unable to control the pitch and then threw wide of the bag at first base. Scoville moved to third on a double by Kevin Sytko and scored on Stanky's fly ball to center field.
Jonathan Papelbon (1-1), the last of three Bulldog hurlers in the game, worked the final 1-2/3 innings and took the loss. Adam Wood (1-1) picked up the win in relief, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and retiring six of the last seven batters he faced with strikeouts.
SOUTH ALABAMA 8, MSU 7 MSU (9-3-1) 300 040 000 --- 7-8-3 USA (10-7) 200 400 11x --- 8-11-2WP --- Adam Wood (1-1). LP --- Jonathan Papelbon (1-1). HR --- Erik Smallwood
(3). Jon Mungle (2). T --- 3:02. ATT --- 1,785.