Diamond Notes : USM Scores Five Unearned runs in 6-3 win over Tide

[Diamond Tide]

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April 16, 2008


Pearl, MS - A costly error led to four unearned runs in the fourth inning and Alabama never recovered in a 6-3 loss to Southern Miss in front of 2,599 fans at Trustmark Park Wednesday night.

A two-out throwing error by shortstop Josh Rutledge opened the floodgates for Southern Miss in the top of the fourth inning as the Golden Eagles scored four unearned runs off UA starter Casey Kebodeaux to take a 5-1 lead. USM third baseman Chris Matesich reached on the two-out throwing error and the Golden Eagles capitalized with four straight hits to chase Kebodeaux.

Anthony Doss reached on an infield single that struck first base umpire Charles McElroy and was ruled dead. Bo Davis then laced a triple to left-center field to score both runners and give USM a 3-1 lead. Second baseman James Ewing followed with an RBI single to left and shortstop Brian Dozier laced a double down the left field line to give the Golden Eagles a 5-1 lead.

Kebodeaux (2-5), who has lost his last four decisions, gave up five runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Only one of the five runs charged to Kebodeuax was earned, but he did give up five two-out hits.

Southern Miss (25-11) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when the leadoff batter James Ewing drew a walk and scored on Brian Dozier's triple into left center field.

Alabama (20-18) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at 1-1. Jake Smith reached on a one-out error by USM third baseman Chris Matesich. Mike Sharp followed with a base hit up the middle to put runners at first second. After Ross Wilson struck out, Alex Kubal reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Rutledge was then hit by pitch to bring home Smith with the tying run. Tyler Odle popped up to right field as UA left the bases loaded.

The Tide left two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning and stranded nine runners in the loss.

The Crimson Tide cut the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning on Jake Smith's two-out, two-run single to right field. May reached on a one-out single to left and moved to third when Avila doubled to left center field as Doss over ran the ball in the gap. After Bentley fouled out, Smith lined a single to right to pull the Tide to within 5-3.

The Golden Eagles added another unearned run in the ninth to take a 6-3 lead. Davis reached on a bunt single, moved to second base on a Jimmy Nelson throwing error and scored on Dozier's base hit to right field.

USM starter Brian Leach (1-1) picked up the win by working six innings. He allowed three runs and eight hits, with three strikeouts and one walk.

Tyler Conn tied the USM single-season record with 13th save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Alabama will host Mississippi State in a three-game SEC series this weekend in Tuscaloosa. The series opener is Friday, April 18 at 6:35 p.m.

GAME NOTES:

*Sophomore left fielder Brandon May (Marietta, Ga.) extended his hitting streak to seven games with a first-inning single. During the streak, May is hitting .593 (16-for-27) with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI. Eight of his 14 hits have been extra base hits.

*Junior DH Alex Avila (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) had three hits on Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to eight games, where he is batting .360 (14-for-39) with one home run and six RBI.

*Freshman SS Josh Rutledge (Cullman, Ala.) extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a sixth inning infield hit. During the streak, Rutledge is batting .443 (27-for-61) with 11 runs scored, four doubles and 10 RBI. He is second in the SEC with 60 hits this season. Georgia's Gordan Beckham leads the SEC with 61 hits through Wednesday's games. Rutledge has the highest batting average and most hits of any freshman in the SEC through Wednesday.

*Alabama left the bases loaded in the second inning and is now hitless in its last 10 at-bats with the bases loaded. Overall, Alabama is 12-for-52 (.231) this season with the bases full.

*The Alabama bullpen fared well against Southern Miss as junior RHP Austin Graham and freshman RHP Jimmy Nelson combined for 5 1/3 quality innings. Graham retired all four batters he faced and Nelson allowed one unearned run in four innings.

-UA-


RTR,

Diamond Tide