April 12, 2008

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - No. 29 Southern Miss scored four runs in the ninth inning to come from behind and defeat Arkansas State 8-7 Saturday afternoon in front of 3.919 fans at Pete Taylor Park.

Chris Matesich had a two-out bases loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to seal the victory for Southern Miss and cap off his four-for-five afternoon. Matesich also homered in sixth inning, doubled in the eighth inning and collected four RBI on the afternoon.

"Chris is a fifth year guy that has bounced in and out of our lineup, a hit like that could not happen to a better kid," head coach Corky Palmer said. "We showed some determination today and gave a great effort to come back like that."

Southern Miss pounded out 12 hits in the game but none bigger than the single to right field by Matesich that scored pinch runner Adam Doleac and Drew Carson. Matesich's single was the only hit in the ninth inning as ASU closer Cory Lambert walked four batters and hit Carson with a pitch to keep Southern Miss in the game.

Bo Davis and Brian Dozier started the ninth inning by walking on four pitches a piece. Trey Cuevas hit into a fielders choice and Keith Winstead flew out left field for the second out of the inning. Kyle Maxie drew the third walk of the inning to load the bases and Drew Carson was hit by a 3-2 pitch to force home Davis. Michael Ewing picked up an RBI on a bases loaded walk for the second Golden Eagle run of the inning, setting the stage for Matesich's game-winning single.

Southern Miss was forced to come from behind after starting pitcher Brian Leach lasted only a third of an inning, giving up four runs in the first frame. Houston Brown, Jonathans Johnston, JR Ballinger and Collin Cargill all worked in relief to keep the game close and give Southern Miss a chance to mount a comeback

Leach surrendered four runs in the top of the first before most of the fans at Pete Taylor Park had settled into their seats. Leach's first two pitches of the game we both hit for singles and a third consecutive single loaded the bases without any outs. Brandon Eller cleared the bases wit a double off the chalk down the left field line for a quick 3-0 lead. Eller can around to score later in the inning on a Leach wild pitch putting the Indians on top 4-0.

Arkansas State added an unearned run in the top of the third inning as Ryan Hudgins reached base on a error by third baseman Josh Fields and scored on a RBI single by Eller.

Southern Miss finally cracked the board in the fourth inning on two-out RBI singles by Chris Matesich and Josh Fields. Kyle Maxie walked with one out and Michael Ewing singled to start the rally. Maxie came in to score on Matesich's single and Ewing scored on the single by Fields making the score 5-2.

Arkansas State added a single run in the top of the fifth on a RBI fielders choice by Drew Benes, making the score 6-3.

The two teams traded runs in the eight on solo home runs. Drew Benes weed deep for ASU and Michael Ewing hit his third home run off the season for Southern Miss making the score 7-4 Indians headed to the ninth inning.

The two teams will play the final game of the series tomorrow afternoon at Pete Taylor Park. David Clark will get the start for Southern Miss and he will face LHP Jett Jones. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.

-southenrmiss.com-