March 19, 2008

Box Score

MONROE, La. - - Southern Miss (12-6) overcame an early four run deficit to win their sixth straight game with a 7-5 win at Louisiana Monroe Wednesday Evening at Warhawk Field in Monroe, La.

"That was a big win for us on the road tonight after falling behind 4-0, as big a win as we have had all season." head coach Corky Palmer said. "Seth Hester did a tremendous job tonight, he kept us in the game and gave us a chance to battle back"

Louisiana Monroe (12-5) came into the game riding a six game winning streak and a No. 14 RPI ranking.

Brian Leach started his second game of the season for Southern Miss tonight, he also started vs. Louisiana Monroe on February 26 at Pete Taylor Park. He threw three innings allowing six hits and five runs but did not factor into the decision.

The bright spot on the mound tonight was freshman pitcher Seth Hester, who picked up his first career win in his third career appearance. Hester threw four and a third innings, scattering five hits without allowing a run.

Tyler Conn picked up his fifth save of the season throwing 1.2 innings without allowing a hit.

At the plate Bo Davis led the Golden Eagles with a two-for-three night including three runs scored. Corey Stevens and Kyle Maxie had the two big hits for Southern Miss, both two-RBI singles.

La Monroe scored the games first run in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out rally. Kyle Suire singled to left field and came around to score on AJ Siggers RBI single to right field.

The Warharks continued their two-out production in the second inning off starting pitcher Brian Leach for three more runs and a 4-0 lead. Ben Soignier and Kyle Suire both had RBI singles and Dexter Fontentot added an RBI double to cap the two-out three-run rally.

Southern Miss cut the Warhawk lead in half in the top of the third as Josh Fields led off the inning with a walk and went to third on Bo Davis' double down the left-field line. Brian Dozier was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Monroe starting pitcher Jordy Poche balked home Fields for the first run of the game for the Golden Eagles. Davis came in to score the second run of the inning on a ground ball RBI by Corey Stevens making the score 4-2

La. Monroe added another run after chasing Leach from the game off freshman reliever Seth Hester in the bottom of the fourth inning. Leach left the game with runners on first and second base after two consecutive walks. Hester retired the first two batters he faced but the Warhaks struck again with two out on an RBI single by Matt Collins making the score 5-2.

Southern Miss struck right back in the top of the fifth inning with two more runs off the bat of Kyle Maxie. Bo Davis was hit by a pitch and Corey Stevens walked before coming around to score on Kyle Maxie's two-out two-RBI single, making the score 5-4.

The Golden Eagles were able to rally to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Trey Cuevas and Josh Fields both drew walks and Bo Davis singles to load the bases with one out. Brian Dozier picked up his 10th RBI of the season on a bases loaded walk, forcing in Anthony Doss who entered the game as a pinch runner for Cuevas.

Corey Stevens put the Golden Eagles on top with a two RBI single up the middle scoring Fields and Davis and erasing the four run lead that La. Monroe had at the end of two innings.

Southern Miss will return home this weekend and open Conference USA play against one of the hottest teams in the country, UCF. The Knights will visit Pete Taylor Park sporting a No.16 national ranking and a 19-1 record on the young 2008 season.