March 30, 2008

Box Score

HOUSTON - Bo Davis scored the go ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to lead Southern Miss over No. 10 Rice 8-7 at Recking Park Sunday afternoon to take the weekend series from the Owls.

"To come on the road to a place like Rice and win the series is a huge accomplishment," head Coach Corky Palmer said. "We refused to give in today and I am extremely proud of the effort we put forth today."

Rice entered this weekend having won 26 consecutive conference series dating back to March of 2005 when the Owls were in the Western Athletic Conference, Rice had won every C-USA series since joining the league in 2006 and are now 47-6 in C-USA play.

Southern Miss came from behind for only the third time this season after trailing 5-2 through five innings.

Wade Weather (1-1) picked up his first career win throwing 2.2 innings without allowing a hit. Todd McInnis had a better start that the numbers will show, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in 5.1 innings.

Tyler Conn picked up his NCAA leading eighth save of the season, striking out the final two Owl hitters with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Trey Sutton led the offensive attack with a four-for-five day, including three doubles, two runs score and a RBI. Kyle Maxie and Drew Carson both had two RBI each as well.

Southern Miss stuck for the first run in the game in the top of the first as Trey Sutton, who moved back the leadoff spot he occupied for the past few seasons, hit the first pitch of the game for a double to right-center field.

Keith Winstead picked up the two-out RBI single that scored Sutton from second to put the Golden Eagles on top 1-0

Southern Miss added another run in the top of the second inning on Trey's Sutton's second double in as many innings, scoring Bo Davis from first base.

Rice answered with their first run of the game on a solo home run by catcher Adam Zornes, cutting the Southern Miss lead in half, 2-1.

The Owls were able to tie the game at two on an RBI single by Diego Seastruck scoring Chad Mozingo who singled to lead off the inning.

Rice took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Zomes singles to lead off the inning and stole second base. He came around to score on Abe Gonzales' two-out single through the infield, making the score 3-2.

Rice added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth keyed by a Rick Hague double and a throwing error by Chris Matesich, pushing the Rice lead to 5-2.

Southern Miss mounted their come back in the top of the sixth inning batting around and scoring five runs. Chris Matesich started the rally after being hit in the back with a Langwell fastball, Bo Davis reached on a fielding error by the shortstop and was forced out on Sutton's fielder's choice. Michael Ewing singled to right field to load the bases and chase starting pitcher Matt Langwell for the game in favor off All-American Closer Cole St. Clair.

Brian Dozier singled to right field to score Mateisch and keep the bases loaded. Kyle Maxie followed with a two-RBI single to left field to tie the game at five. Keith Winstead then reached on a throwing error by the third baseman to extend the innings and Drew Carson put the Golden Eagles on top with a two-out RBI single scoring Dozier and Maxie for a 7-5 lead.

Rice answered right back in the bottom of the sixth scoring two runs on a double by Diego Seastruck past a diving Bo Davis in center field to allow two runs to score and tie the game at seven.

Southern Miss took the lead in the top of the ninth inning as Bo Drew a lead off walk and Trey Sutton followed with a single to right field to move Davis to third with one out and chase St. Clair from the game for new pitcher Bryan Price.

Price uncorked a wild pitch with James Ewing at the plate to allow Davis to scamper home for the winning run.

Closer Tyler Conn entered the game in the ninth inning and loaded the bases with one out before striking out Chad Mozingo and Jordan Dodson to end the game and the series.

Southern Miss will return to action in non-conference play with Troy coming to town for games Tuesday and Wednesday.

-southernmiss.com-