April 27, 2008

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and sweep the series over Houston with a 7-6 win Sunday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park.

"I could not be happier for our players right now," head coach Corky Palmer said. "We are playing short-handed with some injuries and still finding a way to win ball games."

Brian Dozier lined a bases loaded two-RBI single to right field to tie the game in the bottom eighth inning and Michael Ewing came in to score on a throwing error by Houston catcher Austin Goolsby to put the Golden Eagles ahead and seal the series sweep over No. 28 Houston.

Southern Miss (31-13, 9-6) scored six of their seven runs in the last three frames with two in the sixth inning, one in the seventh inning and three in the eighth inning.

The Ewing twins led the offensive attack for Southern Miss with each hitting a home run and going a combined six-for-seven day with four RBI and three runs scored. James Ewing was a perfect four-for-four including a solo home run in the seventh inning and Michael Ewing was two-for-three with three RBI and two runs scored including his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth inning.

Chris Matesich was also three-for-four with a run scored and Brian Dozier finished the game with three hits and two RBI.

Houston Brown started his second career game working four innings and allowing three runs on six hits. Collin Cargill worked 2.1 innings in relief, allowing three runs on four hits before turning the ball over to JR Ballinger to finish the game. Ballinger (4-0) worked 2.2 scoreless innings allowing only two hits to pick up fourth win of the season, including working a perfect ninth inning.

With the weekend sweep Southern Miss jumped from fifth in the conference standings to start the weekend to second place at the conclusion of today's games around the league.

Houston started the scoring in the top of the first inning on three straight two-out singles with Ryan Lormand collecting the RBI to put the Cougars up 1-0.

The Golden Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the second as Keith Winstead and Chris Matesich both singled to start the rally. Michael Ewing tied the game with his first RBI on the day, a single to score Winstead.

Houston retook the lead with solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings by Bryan Trully and Jake Stewart.

The Cougars scored again in the top of the sixth inning to extend their lead to 4-1 on a perfect squeeze play by Zak Presley.

Southern Miss chipped into the Cougar lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth as Kyle Maxie drew a walk and Michael Ewing hit a two-run home run to right field to make the score 4-3

Houston grabbed the momentum back on a two-RBI bases loaded single in the top of the seventh by Matt Murphy to put the Cougars on top 6-3.

James Ewing added a solo home run off the scoreboard in left-center field to cut the lead to 6-4 heading into the eighth inning.

Kyle Maxie started the eight with a walk and Chris Matesich singled to right field to put runners at first and third. Michael Ewing drew a walk to load the bases with out any outs in the inning. Brian Dozier delivered with a two-RBI single to right field, scoring Maxie and Matesich to tie the game at six.

After a Houston pitching change with James Ewing at the plate, Houston catcher Austin Goolsby attempted to pick off Matesich at first base but threw the ball into right field to allow Michael Ewing to score what turned out to be the winning run from third base.

The Golden Eagles will return to action with five games again next week, They will host University of New Orleans on Tuesday, visit Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday and travel to Marshal for the C-USA Series starting on Friday.

-southernmiss.com-